Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1199058
41 GASTROENTEROLOGY FDA approves world's 1st single-use duodenoscope By Eric Oliver T he FDA cleared Boston Scientific's EXALT Model D Single-Use Duodenoscope, marking the first time the agency approved a single- use duodenoscope. The scope was previously awarded Breakthrough De- vice Designation to get the device to market faster. The single-use scope is wholly disposable. Duode- noscopes have multiple small and complicated parts that make reprocessing the scopes difficult. While the majority of scopes are properly reprocessed, some or- ganizations have had cross-contamination issues from poorly reprocessed scopes. The FDA recently recom- mended health systems transition to using scopes with disposable parts or fully disposable scopes. Boston Scientific will begin selling the devices in the first quarter of 2020. n based Southeast Texas Gastroenterology Associates. Surgical Center of New Hampshire, in Derry, will open in early 2020. Gastro Health acquired Seattle-based Puget Sound Gastro- enterology, its first acquisition away from its southeastern market base. A team of gastroenterologists plan to develop a new medi- cal office building in Missoula, Mont., to meet growing demand in the area. Guilford-based Connecticut Gastroenterology Consultants opened a medical office building with an endoscopy center in Old Saybrook, Conn., Oct. 2. Dothan, Ala.-based Digestive Health Specialists of the Southeast is seeking permission to build a new surgery center and office complex in Dothan. Northwest Specialty Hospital, a physician-owned facility in Post Falls, Idaho, has opened a new endoscopy center. Pittsburgh-based providers Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health opened AHN Center for Advanced Endoscopy at Allegheny General Hospital. GI Alliance partnered with Phoenix-based Arizona Diges- tive Health, growing its affiliated network to more than 275 physicians in four states. A Digestive Care Center with an ASC opened in Jasper, Ind., Oct 17. GI Alliance acquired Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Atlanta-based United Digestive partnered with Savannah, Ga.-based Center for Digestive & Liver Health. Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health and Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health broke ground on a medical clinic in Lock Haven, Pa., Oct. 31. Exact Sciences closed its $2.8 billion acquisition of Genom- ic Health Nov. 8, securing rights to Genomic's diagnostic oncology test, Oncotype DX. RDD Pharma entered into a letter of intent to acquire Naia Rare Diseases in a move to boost its gastrointestinal drug pipeline. Altoona, Pa.-based Blair Gastroenterology Associates added a 1,800-square-foot addition to its practice, expand- ing services. GI Alliance acquired Amarillo (Texas) Endoscopy Center. CRH Medical acquired a majority ownership stake in Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Triad Sedation, building on a previous partnership with the practice. n 72% of Americans would delay getting a colonoscopy By Eric Oliver T he majority of Americans would avoid or delay getting a colonoscopy for one reason or another, a survey from Merck Manuals revealed. e Harris Poll surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. adults on Merck's behalf in October. Four insights into why Americans would delay a colonoscopy: • 34 percent didn't have symptoms that concerned them • 33 percent said the preparation process was unpleasant • 30 percent said they didn't have a family history of colon cancer • 30 percent thought they were too young to get screened. n