GI Center

Recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for promoting quality in endoscopy.

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s gastroenterology (GI) lab is booming. With expansions and advancements in state-of the-art equipment, new and experienced personnel, and improved facilities, the GI lab is breaking major ground in Southwest Louisiana. And all this progress can be attributed to the importance of the colonoscopy: a screening exam involving a tiny, potentially lifesaving camera.

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized Lake Charles Memorial’s GI Center team for its clinical excellence, one of only seven honorees in Louisiana to receive this distinction. The ASGE recognition means that Gastroenterologists Dr. Frank Marrero, Dr. Khaled Nour and Dr. Sarpreet Basra, supported by Memorial’s expert clinical staff and the latest high-definition digital technology, have achieved the highest standards of commitment to safety and quality by meeting the program’s rigorous evidence-based tracking of physician clinical performance, patient outcomes, training, credentialing and infection control rates. Quality measures include key components critical to high quality gastrointestinal endoscopic patient care including adenoma detection rates, cecal intubation rate, adequacy of bowel preparation, patient , and adverse event tracking. Data is extracted and analyzed for continued performance improvement and better outcomes.

Essential Screening Exams

One of the most important gastrointestinal screenings for those over the age of 50 is the colonoscopy, an exam involving a tiny, potentially lifesaving camera.Now more than ever, people are benefiting from colonoscopies. While perhaps not an eagerly anticipated medical procedure, colonoscopies are certainly responsible for saving a huge number of lives each year. That’s because they allow for early detection of an all too-often silent killer: colorectal cancer.

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital is proud to offer new high-definition Olympus equipment for colonoscopies. High-def imaging has been shown to improve polyp detection, because it allows for smaller polyps to be discovered than with standard-definition colonoscopies. It can also result in shorter examination times—a major advantage for those who put off these necessary screenings.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Other GI Conditions

The GI lab at Memorial will continue its growth in the future, as more and more patients seek diagnosis and treatment of the signs and symptoms of major gastroenterological conditions. As part of this continued growth and commitment to stay on the cutting edge of technology, there will be many more advancements to come to Memorial’s GI lab.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Capabilities

Trust our expanded and qualified team of gastroenterologists and surgeons to help you get the exams, diagnoses, and treatments you need. In addition to colon cancer screening, we provide services for those experiencing:

• Abdominal pain
• Bowel incontinence
• Cancers of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, and rectum
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colitis and other colon disorders
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Diverticular disease
• Gallbladder stones
• Gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn)
• Hemorrhoids
• Hepatitis and other liver diseases
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Pancreatic disease
• Polyps (tumors)
• Proctitis
• Rectal bleeding
• Swallowing disorders
• Ulcers