February 2021 Newsletter

Happy February everyone! As we head into the first quarter of 2021, we retain optimism around the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and look forward to a gradual return to normalcy in our lives. Operationally, we continue to work hard to meet our patients’ where they are with their GI medical needs.

The understandable impact that COVID-19 has had on our society cannot be understated, but we are pulling together as a team to educate our referral sources and our patients that GI of the Rockies remains committed to the safety of our colleagues and to the needs of our patients.

As many of you know, Newsweek magazine highlighted the top ranked ASCs/Endoscopy centers in the US for 2021. It is with great pride that four of our affiliated endo centers (DWEC, Longmont, Lafayette, & Denver) were named amongst the best ASCs nationally. This study was conducted in partnership with the global research firm Statista and included experts and survey participants from across the country. The metrics for performance included participants assessing quality of care, performance data, and peer recommendations relative to in-state competition. The study also considered how well facilities were responding to the threat of COVID-19. This wonderful national recognition could only be achieved through our tireless commitment to our patients and to one another on this team. Kudos deserved for everyone!

The pandemic continues to create unique obstacles (fear, strain on medical resources, economic stresses, etc.) that are contributing to many patients postponing needed GI care. Medical experts are beginning to worry about the consequences facing public health because of delayed medical care associated with the pandemic. Increased colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced stages of CRC are being sited in medical literature because of delayed colonoscopy.

Core to our mission and values, we need to do our part to remain diligent to our infection control policies and we need to continue to encourage our patients and referral sources to not delay care. This staff newsletter includes a wonderful resource that highlights the importance of a Colonoscopy and the impact it has on fighting CRC in the US. Let us be confident in our organization, let us be confident in our safety policies, and let us do our part to make sure we are available to our patients so that we don’t see increased CRC mortality increase in our communities.

Stay well!

Jason Richardson

CEO

Gastroenterology of the Rockies

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