GI Consultants

Dr. John F. Gray Receives 2012 Community Service Award

gictech — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:41:16 +0000

Gastroenterology Consultants proudly congratulates Dr. John F. Gray who was selected by the Nevada State Medical Association to receive its 2012 Community Service Award. The award is presented to a physician who has performed outstanding community service work, above and beyond the call of professional duty. Presented since 1961, the award is the highest honor that fellow colleagues can bestow.

Dr. Gray is recognized for his passion and commitment to help save lives from the preventable disease of colorectal cancer through his work with the Nevada Colon Cancer Partnership. Founded by Dr. Gray in 2008, The Partnership is comprised of dedicated volunteers working together towards the common goal of reducing the number of people that suffer from colon cancer in Nevada through increased screenings. Under the leadership of Dr. Gray, the Partnership received a generous state grant allowing for the development of community outreach programs aimed at making colorectal cancer screenings more accessible. The grant has also provided the opportunity to bring greater awareness on the disease and screening in Nevada through educational campaigns.

Dr. Gray is a Board-certified gastroenterologist who co-founded Gastroenterology Consultants, Ltd., in 1986. He is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association, prominent national medical societies dedicated to gastrointestinal disorders. Dr. Gray received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Utah.

Press Release – Dr. Gray Community Service Award 05 2012

“SLAM DUNK COLON CANCER” NIGHT WITH THE RENO BIGHORNS AND GASTROENTEROLOGY CONSULTANTS, FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012, 7PM

gictech — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:02:36 +0000

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. On the evening of Friday, March 16, 2012, join Reno’s local NBA D-League Basketball team, the Bighorns, and Gastroenterology Consultants, in raising awareness on colon cancer and the importance of screening. Anticipate a game night (against the Dakota Wizards) of fun, entertainment, and giveaways all while uniting in the fight against colon cancer!

Colorectal Cancer is preventable (and treatable with early detection) through colonoscopy screening, yet it remains as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Get screened beginning at the age of 50, or earlier with a family history of diagnosis. Screening saves lives!

For more information on event with the Bighorns, contact Kristina Solidum at: ksolidum@giconsultants.com or 775-329-4600. To schedule your routine screening, call 866-30-COLON (36566).

Treatment of Hepatitis C in 2011: A New Era (By: Hong Gao, MD, Ph.D)

gictech — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:11:49 +0000

In May of 2011, the FDA approved 2 protease inhibitors (telaprevir and boceprevir) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1. Telaprevir and boceprevir are used in triple combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The new triple therapy significantly increases the rate of hepatitis C eradication from ~ 50% to up to 80%. The new treatment is indicated for both “naive” patients and patients who failed previous therapy.

Chronic hepatitis C is a complex and potentially progressive liver disease. About 4.1 millions of people in the United States are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Chronic hepatitis C is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and a leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S. Hepatitis C related mortality has increased substantially since 1995 in the U.S. It is also an important cause of premature deaths in the U.S.

Using a team approach, GI Consultants is currently offering triple therapy to patients with chronic hepatitis C. Our hepatitis C clinic includes a team of physicians, physician assistants and nurses.

Pediatric Guidelines for H. Pylori Diagnosis and Treatment (By: Juan Gregory, MD)

gictech — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:10:29 +0000

The European and North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN) jointly renewed clinical guidelines using a standardized evidence-based approach to develop updated recommendations for children and adolescents in North America and Europe. These clinical practice guidelines represent updated, best-available evidence and are meant for children and adolescents living in Europe and North America.
Diagnostic testing for H. pylori in patients with functional abdominal pain is not indicated. It is recommended that the diagnosis of H. pylori infection be based on either a positive histopathology plus a rapid urease test or positive culture of tissue obtained from the corpus and antrum of the stomach. A test and treat strategy is not recommended. Test based on antibodies (IgA,IgG) for H. pylori are not reliable because of the lack of sensitivity and specificity. The cutoff value obtained in validation studies in adults results in failure to detect a large proportion of infected children. ¹³C-urea breath tests and ELISA test for
H pylori antigen in the stool are reliable noninvasive tests to determine H. pylori eradication.

It is recommended that diagnostic and noninvasive testing be withheld for 2 weeks after PPI’s and weeks after antibiotics have been discontinued.

First line eradication regimen: Triple therapy with a PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin or an imidazole or bismuth salts + amoxicillin + imidazole or a sequential therapy: 5 days of a PPI + amoxicillin, then 5 days of a PPI + clarithromycin + metronidazole. It is recommended that the duration of therapy be 7-14 days.

GIC Achieves Meaningful Use (by: Scott Waters, Dir of IT)

gictech — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:08:56 +0000

Gastroenterology Consultants is one of the first medical practices in Nevada to achieve “Meaningful Use!”
Meaningful Use (HITECH Act) is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed in 2009 which aims to encourage more physicians to adopt Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in their practices. In order to be |considered “Meaningful Users” of an EMR, the HITECH Act (ARRA) requires that physicians use certified EMR systems to fulfill 15 core measures and at least 5 of the 10 available menu measures. These measures are intended to improve care coordination, reduce data errors, improve patient information security and confidentiality, and improve the overall health of the population.
Gastroenterology Consultants is proud to say that all of our physicians have successfully fulfilled the Meaningful Use criteria!

Endoscopy Accreditations (by: Barbara Williams, Dir of QM)

gictech — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:08:10 +0000

Reno, South Meadows and Carson Endoscopy Center, the three endoscopy centers of Gastroenterology Consultants, have all successfully completed their respective Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and CMS Medicare Inspections recently. All three centers received the highest awarded accreditation period of three years.

Newly Update Reprocessing Guideline Adopted (By: Barbara Williams, Dir of QM)

gictech — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:06:19 +0000

GIC Endoscopy Centers have adopted the updated Multisociety Guideline on Reprocessing Flexible GI Endoscopes, produced by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). The guideline was electronically published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology on May 2, 2011.

The updated guidance document provides additional discussion of new or evolving reprocessing issues. Specific additions or changes include review of expanded details related to critical reprocessing steps, reprocessing issues for various endoscope attachments and discussion of risks related to selected periprocedural practices.

GIC Supports Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

gictech — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:03:17 +0000

The GIC team, the Colon Cancer Crusaders, joined the sea of pink on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at Boomtown Casino for the 13th Annual Komen Race for the Cure. The team, dressed in their signature blue and yellow, accented in pink to honor loved ones lost to breast cancer, celebrate survivors of it, and to join the fight alongside those that currently are in battle with the disease. Gastroenterology Consultants supports the mission of the Komen organization and is a proud sponsor of the event.

Donate Life Walk

gictech — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:03:58 +0000

Donate Life Walk, Sept 26, 2011

25 employees, family members and friends of Gastroenterology Consultants took part in the 4th Annual Donate Life Walk at the Sparks Marina on September 26, 2011. The annual 2-mile walk is held to raise awareness in our community on the need of organ and tissue donation and to honor donors and their families. Gastroenterology Consultants is a proud sponsor of this event.

New Physician Joins Gastroenterology Consultants – Dr. Timothy Halterman

gictech — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:07:03 +0000

Gastroenterology Consultants is pleased to welcome Timothy Halterman, MD, as their newest physician to the practice. Dr. Halterman specializes in gastroenterology and hepatology and has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of liver disorders, including hepatitis B and C, autoimmune liver diseases, and end-stage liver disease.

Dr. Halterman recently completed a 3-year fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Washington, Seattle. He received his medical education and completed his residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Dr. Halterman is practicing at the Reno-South Office at 10619 Professional Circle and is now accepting new patients. Patients can be scheduled with Dr. Halterman at 852-4848.