Advanced Center for GI Therapeutics

Northside's Advanced Center for GI Therapeutics offers a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) procedures to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of GI conditions.

Whether your procedure is a routine colon cancer screening or a procedure to diagnose and treat new GI symptoms, our team of gastroenterologists (physicians specializing in GI conditions) and GI nurses and techs are ready to collaborate with you and develop an individual plan of care. Other members of your interdisciplinary health care team, who work closely with the GI/Pulmonary Endoscopy Labs, may include anesthesiologists (doctors and anesthetists specializing in sedation and pain control), respiratory therapists, pharmacists, radiologists (doctors and technologists specializing in x-rays and special imaging like CT scans and MRIs), ostomy nurses, nutrition support and other hospital specialists. 

Inpatient Units

Many gastrointestinal (GI) conditions are able to be treated on an outpatient basis. Northside has GI services in a convenient outpatient setting in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming and Forsyth.

However, occasionally patients will require hospitalization to manage their condition. We recognize this need and have dedicated GI units at each of our three hospitals in Atlanta, Cherokee and Forsyth to care for these special patients. Your health care team will work with you and your family to address your specific health care needs and prepare you for discharge.

Our team is focused on the individual needs of our patients. We are a leader in customer and physician satisfaction. An integral part of the discharge process is patient education, which begins upon your admission and is reassessed throughout your hospital stay. Our goal is to ensure that you and your family are knowledgeable about your condition and are confident and comfortable with your discharge instructions. 

Common Procedures

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy) – This test allows the doctor to look inside the esophagus (swallowing tube), the stomach and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum using a video image.

Colonoscopy – This test allows the doctor to look inside the colon (large intestine) using a video image.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatograpy (ERCP) This test allows the doctor to look at the biliary system (pathways from the liver that drain bile), the gallbladder and the pancreas using a combination of video imaging and special x-rays.

In addition to these common procedures, each of our GI Labs is able to treat many GI conditions at the time of the procedure such as stopping a stomach ulcer from bleeding, removing a colon polyp that may have turned into cancer if not found, or removing a blockage from the bile pathway that was causing pain and pancreatitis.

Innovative services

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and Endoscopic Bronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) – These special endoscopy procedures provide the additional ability to use ultrasound imaging inside the GI and pulmonary structures to identify cancer in earlier stages or other abnormalities. Once early cancers or abnormalities are identified a treatment plan can be developed.

Ablation Therapy for  Barrett’s Esophagus - This procedure allows for the non-surgical treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus (pre-cancerous changes to the esophagus) before esophageal cancer occurs.

High Resolution Esophageal Manometry, Esophageal Impedence Studies and  Esophageal pH studies – These procedures help collect information about the strength and coordination of movements and acid levels from reflux in the esophagus.

Anorectal Manometry, Pudendal Nerve Testing and  Biofeedback – These tests help to collect information about the strength and coordination of movements and sensation in the rectum related to bowel control.

Hydrogen Breath Testing – This test helps to identify intolerance to certain types of sugars like lactose (milk sugar) or an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut that can lead to unwanted GI symptoms.

Prior to your procedure

You have the option of completing some of your admission documents before you arrive for your GI/Pulmonary Endoscopy Lab procedure.

Patient Pre-Registration Information - Here you will find additional links, instructions, answers to frequent questions and contact information should you need assistance from a hospital representative.

Patient Database Form (GI) - Please print a copy, complete the requested information about your medical history and medications, then bring this copy with you to your procedure.

Patient Database Form (Pulmonary) - Please print a copy, complete the requested information about your medical history and medications, then bring this copy with you to your procedure.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Access additional patient information, including educational videos about your procedures.