Digestive Health

One Day of Prep Could Save Your Life

One of the most important gastrointestinal screenings for those over the age of 45 is the colonoscopy. While not an eagerly anticipated medical procedure, colonoscopies are responsible for saving a large 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 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.

Recognized for Our Quality Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Procedures​

With advancements in state-of-the-art equipment, experienced personnel, and improved facilities, our Endoscopy Center is breaking major ground in Southwest Louisiana. All of 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 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. Sarpreet Basra, and Dr. Eric Fontenot, 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.

Nationally Accredited by the Commission on Cancer

​Like other leading cancer programs across the country, Lake Charles Memorial has received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). Our Cancer Center has held CoC accreditation since 1993 and currently maintains an approval rating. The CoC accreditation is based on compliance with 36 standards of quality care set forth by the CoC.

CoC accreditation challenges cancer programs to enhance the care they provide by addressing patient-centered needs and measuring the quality of the care they deliver against national standards. The CoC encompasses the best minds in cancer care utilizing expertise from the entire oncology community to set the highest standards of care for CoC-accredited cancer programs. CoC accreditation provides value through improved patient outcomes across all domains of care: access and service, satisfaction and well-being, quality of care, and cancer outcomes. CoC accredited cancer programs are dedicated to providing the best in patient-centered care.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Capabilities

Trust our qualified team of gastroenterologists to help you get the exams, diagnoses, and treatments you need.

• Abdominal pain
• Bowel incontinence
• Cancers: lung, stomach, colorectal
• Bronchial and lung disorders
• 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

The Endoscopy Center is located in the rear of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital at 1701 Oak Park Blvd. To schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterology physicians, call 337.494.4785.