Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

Endoscopy allows doctors to see inside certain areas of your body without surgery. Today, doctors use endoscopy to find colorectal cancer earlier, diagnose digestive disorders, and even treat certain conditions.

If you’re due for your colonoscopy—or if your doctor has recommended endoscopy—you can receive care and comfort inside Northwest Endoscopy Center. We designed every inch of our 8,650-square-foot center to be patient-friendly and private, so you and your family can rest and relax. Plus, you’ll receive treatment from a care team with extensive training in advanced endoscopy, giving you access to the most advanced treatments available.

Why choose Northwest Endoscopy Center for your colonoscopy?

Utmost privacy. Whether you’re here for a colonoscopy or another endoscopic procedure, you’ll stay in a private room before and after your procedure. Each room is equipped with privacy curtains. One designated family member or guest is welcome to stay with you while you recover.

State-of-the-art amenities. We pride ourselves on creating a hassle-free and comfortable experience for our patients and their guests. You’ll get in and out faster. Interactive displays in your pre-/post-procedure room allow you and your guest to watch TV and access information. Convenient, covered parking keeps you dry no matter the weather. Plus, our center offers a streamlined design for optimum infection control.

Innovative procedures. Our endoscopists offer our patients the most advanced, up-to-date and specialized endoscopic services. We use the latest techniques and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, to increase colon polyp detection rates.

Easier colonoscopy prep. Having a colonoscopy no longer means drinking a gallon of thick, foul-tasting liquid. At Northwest Endoscopy Center, we recommend a gentler prep that includes a mix of MiraLAX and Gatorade taken several hours apart. It’s better tasting and easier for most people to tolerate. Learn more:

MiraLAX colonoscopy prep

MiraLAX 2-day colonoscopy prep

Will insurance cover colonoscopy or endoscopy?

Colonoscopies are covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. Endoscopy is often covered, too. Northwest Specialty Hospital is contracted with most major insurance providers.

Endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures available in North Idaho

People in Kootenai County can receive colonoscopies and endoscopies locally at Northwest Endoscopy Center. Our center includes two spacious procedure rooms, one exam room, and eight pre-surgery and post-surgery bays. Procedures we offer include:

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy remains the “gold standard” for finding colorectal cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. The American Cancer Society (ACS) now recommends that adults start screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. This is due in part to ACS data that shows a notable rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses among people younger than age 50.

We recommend colonoscopy as a preferred screening test over other types of screenings because colonoscopy:

• Is associated with reduced incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer
• Has the highest sensitivity for finding colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps
• Allows for the detection and treatment of colon cancer in the same procedure

By comparison, stool DNA tests like Cologuard have a much lower sensitivity for detecting precancerous lesions (42.4% for Cologuard vs. 95% for colonoscopy). If you have a positive Cologuard test, you will still need a colonoscopy for further evaluation. Plus, Cologuard has a reported false positive rate of 13%, meaning a positive test could result in a negative colonoscopy. Cologuard is only recommended for people at average risk, so, if you’ve had a colon polyp or have a family member with colon cancer, we recommend you get a colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy, an endoscopist will use an endoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera at the end) to examine your colon and rectum for polyps and other signs of colon or rectal cancer. Colonoscopy is the only procedure that can both diagnose and treat colorectal cancer. You should get a colonoscopy at least once every 10 years, and more often if you have specific risk factors.

Endoscopy

In addition to colonoscopy, the experts at Northwest Endoscopy Center perform the following procedures:

• Upper endoscopy (EGD) to examine the upper part of your digestive system for digestive issues.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ECRP) to examine your bile and pancreas ducts for jaundice or pancreatitis.
• Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to look for signs of a swallowing disorder called achalasia.
• Radiofrequency ablation to treat abnormal tissue and pre-cancerous growths in the digestive tract.
• Esophageal and colon stenting to treat conditions that narrow the digestive tract and/or colon.
• Endoscopic mucosal resections/submucosal dissections to remove abnormal tissue or pre-cancerous growths in the lining of the digestive tract.
• Endoscopic suturing and clipping to close tears in the digestive tract.
• GI Genius™ AI to enhance detection of polyps in colonoscopies.
• Endoscopic revisional bariatric procedures to modify or alter a previous gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery.
• Endoscopic feeding tube placement to help ensure patients who need a feeding tube can receive appropriate nutrients.
• Foreign body removal to remove objects that have been swallowed or that are stuck in your digestive tract.
• Stricture dilation to widen narrowed areas in the esophagus.