News from the AGA

Gastroenterology, an AGA journal, is proud to announce the release of a special collection of articles focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within gastroenterology and hepatology. This curated collection, under the guidance of the journal’s new DEI section editor Chyke Doubeni, MBBS, MPH, includes original research, reviews, commentaries, and editorials on matters of health disparities, socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes, and population-based studies on disease incidence among races and ethnicities, among others. New articles are added to the collection as they are published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly and easily look over the latest DEI articles and content of interest. Recent articles include the following:

• “How to incorporate health equity training into GI/hepatology fellowships,” by Jannel Lee-Allen, MD, and Brijen J. Shah, MD.
• “Disparities in preventable mortality from colorectal cancer: Are they the result of structural racism?” by Chyke A. Doubeni, MBBS, MPH; Kevin Selby, MD; and Theodore R. Levin, MD.
• “COVID-19 pediatric patients: GI symptoms, presentations and disparities by race/ethnicity in a large, multicenter U.S. study,” by Yusuf Ashktorab, MD; Anas Brim, MD; Antonio Pizuorno, MD; Vijay Gayam, MD; Sahar Nikdel, MD; and Hassan Brim, PhD.

View all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections.

Gastroenterology, an AGA journal, is proud to announce the release of a special collection of articles focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within gastroenterology and hepatology. This curated collection, under the guidance of the journal’s new DEI section editor Chyke Doubeni, MBBS, MPH, includes original research, reviews, commentaries, and editorials on matters of health disparities, socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes, and population-based studies on disease incidence among races and ethnicities, among others. New articles are added to the collection as they are published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly and easily look over the latest DEI articles and content of interest. Recent articles include the following:

• “How to incorporate health equity training into GI/hepatology fellowships,” by Jannel Lee-Allen, MD, and Brijen J. Shah, MD.
• “Disparities in preventable mortality from colorectal cancer: Are they the result of structural racism?” by Chyke A. Doubeni, MBBS, MPH; Kevin Selby, MD; and Theodore R. Levin, MD.
• “COVID-19 pediatric patients: GI symptoms, presentations and disparities by race/ethnicity in a large, multicenter U.S. study,” by Yusuf Ashktorab, MD; Anas Brim, MD; Antonio Pizuorno, MD; Vijay Gayam, MD; Sahar Nikdel, MD; and Hassan Brim, PhD.

View all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections.

Gastroenterology, an AGA journal, is proud to announce the release of a special collection of articles focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within gastroenterology and hepatology. This curated collection, under the guidance of the journal’s new DEI section editor Chyke Doubeni, MBBS, MPH, includes original research, reviews, commentaries, and editorials on matters of health disparities, socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes, and population-based studies on disease incidence among races and ethnicities, among others. New articles are added to the collection as they are published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly and easily look over the latest DEI articles and content of interest. Recent articles include the following:

• “How to incorporate health equity training into GI/hepatology fellowships,” by Jannel Lee-Allen, MD, and Brijen J. Shah, MD.
• “Disparities in preventable mortality from colorectal cancer: Are they the result of structural racism?” by Chyke A. Doubeni, MBBS, MPH; Kevin Selby, MD; and Theodore R. Levin, MD.
• “COVID-19 pediatric patients: GI symptoms, presentations and disparities by race/ethnicity in a large, multicenter U.S. study,” by Yusuf Ashktorab, MD; Anas Brim, MD; Antonio Pizuorno, MD; Vijay Gayam, MD; Sahar Nikdel, MD; and Hassan Brim, PhD.

View all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections.

The new AGA Clinical Practice Update on Surveillance After Pathologically Curative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastrointestinal Neoplasia in the United States: Commentary offers advice regarding surveillance intervals using endoscopy and other relevant modalities after endoscopic removal of dysplastic lesions and early GI cancers with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) which were deemed pathologically curative.

Main takeaway: Patients with malignant lesions removed by curative ESD possess a higher risk of lymph node metastasis and should be surveilled more closely than those with resection dysplasia not associated with lymphatic spread. 

The new AGA Clinical Practice Update on Surveillance After Pathologically Curative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastrointestinal Neoplasia in the United States: Commentary offers advice regarding surveillance intervals using endoscopy and other relevant modalities after endoscopic removal of dysplastic lesions and early GI cancers with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) which were deemed pathologically curative.

Main takeaway: Patients with malignant lesions removed by curative ESD possess a higher risk of lymph node metastasis and should be surveilled more closely than those with resection dysplasia not associated with lymphatic spread. 

The new AGA Clinical Practice Update on Surveillance After Pathologically Curative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastrointestinal Neoplasia in the United States: Commentary offers advice regarding surveillance intervals using endoscopy and other relevant modalities after endoscopic removal of dysplastic lesions and early GI cancers with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) which were deemed pathologically curative.

Main takeaway: Patients with malignant lesions removed by curative ESD possess a higher risk of lymph node metastasis and should be surveilled more closely than those with resection dysplasia not associated with lymphatic spread. 

Gifts to charitable organizations, such as the AGA Research Foundation, in your future plans can ensure that your support for our mission to fund young investigators will continue even after your lifetime. See these three fast facts about planned giving.

• Planned gifts are complicated and confusing. They don’t have to be. There are many types of planned gifts: Most are simple and affordable, like a gift in your will or living trust. You just need to find the one that best meets your needs.
• Wills are only for older adults. Having a plan for the future is important – no matter your age. A will makes your wishes known and provides your loved ones with peace of mind.
• Planned gifts are only for the wealthy. Anyone can make a planned gift. Gifts of all sizes make a difference at the AGA Research Foundation. In fact, you may even be able to make a bigger impact than you thought possible when you make a planned gift.

For 2022, consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will. You will help spark future discoveries in GI.

Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your plans? Visit our website at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.

Gifts to charitable organizations, such as the AGA Research Foundation, in your future plans can ensure that your support for our mission to fund young investigators will continue even after your lifetime. See these three fast facts about planned giving.

• Planned gifts are complicated and confusing. They don’t have to be. There are many types of planned gifts: Most are simple and affordable, like a gift in your will or living trust. You just need to find the one that best meets your needs.
• Wills are only for older adults. Having a plan for the future is important – no matter your age. A will makes your wishes known and provides your loved ones with peace of mind.
• Planned gifts are only for the wealthy. Anyone can make a planned gift. Gifts of all sizes make a difference at the AGA Research Foundation. In fact, you may even be able to make a bigger impact than you thought possible when you make a planned gift.

For 2022, consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will. You will help spark future discoveries in GI.

Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your plans? Visit our website at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.

Gifts to charitable organizations, such as the AGA Research Foundation, in your future plans can ensure that your support for our mission to fund young investigators will continue even after your lifetime. See these three fast facts about planned giving.

• Planned gifts are complicated and confusing. They don’t have to be. There are many types of planned gifts: Most are simple and affordable, like a gift in your will or living trust. You just need to find the one that best meets your needs.
• Wills are only for older adults. Having a plan for the future is important – no matter your age. A will makes your wishes known and provides your loved ones with peace of mind.
• Planned gifts are only for the wealthy. Anyone can make a planned gift. Gifts of all sizes make a difference at the AGA Research Foundation. In fact, you may even be able to make a bigger impact than you thought possible when you make a planned gift.

For 2022, consider including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your will. You will help spark future discoveries in GI.

Want to learn more about including a gift to the AGA Research Foundation in your plans? Visit our website at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org or contact us at foundation@gastro.org.

Registration now open: Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit 2022

Registration is now open for the Gut Microbiota for Health (GMFH) World Summit 2022, taking place March 12-13 in Washington, D.C., and virtually.  

Organized by AGA and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM), the GMFH World Summit is the preeminent international meeting on the gut microbiome for clinicians, dietitians, and researchers. 

Now in its tenth year, this year’s program will focus on “The Gut Microbiome in Precision Nutrition and Medicine.” Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in precision medicine and discover personalized approaches to modulating the gut microbiome that may promote health and improve patient outcomes for a variety of disorders and diseases.

https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/summit
 

See Gastroenterology’s curated Equity in GI journal collection

Gastroenterology is proud to announce the release of a special collection of articles focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gastroenterology and hepatology. This curated collection, under the guidance of the journal’s new DEI section editor Dr. Chyke Doubeni, includes original research, reviews, commentaries and editorials on matters of health disparities, socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes, and population-based studies on disease incidence among races and ethnicities, among other topics. New articles are added to the collection as they are published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly and easily look over the latest DEI articles and content of interest. Recent articles include:

• How to incorporate health equity training into GI/hepatology fellowships by Jannel Lee-Allen and Brijen J. Shah
• Disparities in preventable mortality from colorectal cancer: are they the result of structural racism? By Chyke A. Doubeni, Kevin Selby and Theodore R. Levin
• COVID-19 pediatric patients: GI symptoms, presentations and disparities by race/ethnicity in a large, multicenter U.S. study by Yusuf Ashktorab, Anas Brim, Antonio Pizuorno, Vijay Gayam, Sahar Nikdel and Hassan Brim

View all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections.

Registration now open: Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit 2022

Registration is now open for the Gut Microbiota for Health (GMFH) World Summit 2022, taking place March 12-13 in Washington, D.C., and virtually.  

Organized by AGA and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM), the GMFH World Summit is the preeminent international meeting on the gut microbiome for clinicians, dietitians, and researchers. 

Now in its tenth year, this year’s program will focus on “The Gut Microbiome in Precision Nutrition and Medicine.” Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in precision medicine and discover personalized approaches to modulating the gut microbiome that may promote health and improve patient outcomes for a variety of disorders and diseases.

https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/summit
 

See Gastroenterology’s curated Equity in GI journal collection

Gastroenterology is proud to announce the release of a special collection of articles focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gastroenterology and hepatology. This curated collection, under the guidance of the journal’s new DEI section editor Dr. Chyke Doubeni, includes original research, reviews, commentaries and editorials on matters of health disparities, socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes, and population-based studies on disease incidence among races and ethnicities, among other topics. New articles are added to the collection as they are published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly and easily look over the latest DEI articles and content of interest. Recent articles include:

• How to incorporate health equity training into GI/hepatology fellowships by Jannel Lee-Allen and Brijen J. Shah
• Disparities in preventable mortality from colorectal cancer: are they the result of structural racism? By Chyke A. Doubeni, Kevin Selby and Theodore R. Levin
• COVID-19 pediatric patients: GI symptoms, presentations and disparities by race/ethnicity in a large, multicenter U.S. study by Yusuf Ashktorab, Anas Brim, Antonio Pizuorno, Vijay Gayam, Sahar Nikdel and Hassan Brim

View all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections.

Registration now open: Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit 2022

Registration is now open for the Gut Microbiota for Health (GMFH) World Summit 2022, taking place March 12-13 in Washington, D.C., and virtually.  

Organized by AGA and the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM), the GMFH World Summit is the preeminent international meeting on the gut microbiome for clinicians, dietitians, and researchers. 

Now in its tenth year, this year’s program will focus on “The Gut Microbiome in Precision Nutrition and Medicine.” Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in precision medicine and discover personalized approaches to modulating the gut microbiome that may promote health and improve patient outcomes for a variety of disorders and diseases.

https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/summit
 

See Gastroenterology’s curated Equity in GI journal collection

Gastroenterology is proud to announce the release of a special collection of articles focused on the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gastroenterology and hepatology. This curated collection, under the guidance of the journal’s new DEI section editor Dr. Chyke Doubeni, includes original research, reviews, commentaries and editorials on matters of health disparities, socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes, and population-based studies on disease incidence among races and ethnicities, among other topics. New articles are added to the collection as they are published.

View the special collection on Gastroenterology’s website, which is designed to help you quickly and easily look over the latest DEI articles and content of interest. Recent articles include:

• How to incorporate health equity training into GI/hepatology fellowships by Jannel Lee-Allen and Brijen J. Shah
• Disparities in preventable mortality from colorectal cancer: are they the result of structural racism? By Chyke A. Doubeni, Kevin Selby and Theodore R. Levin
• COVID-19 pediatric patients: GI symptoms, presentations and disparities by race/ethnicity in a large, multicenter U.S. study by Yusuf Ashktorab, Anas Brim, Antonio Pizuorno, Vijay Gayam, Sahar Nikdel and Hassan Brim

View all of Gastroenterology’s curated article collections.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion: 

Vivy Tran, MD, wrote in “Definitive diverticular hemorrhage: Diagnosis and management”:

Diverticular hemorrhage is the most common cause of colonic bleeding, accounting for 20%-65% of cases of severe lower intestinal bleeding in adults. Urgent colonoscopy after purging the colon of blood, clots, and stool is the most accurate method of diagnosing and guiding treatment of definitive diverticular hemorrhage. The diagnosis of definitive diverticular hemorrhage depends upon identification of some stigmata of recent hemorrhage in a single diverticulum, which can include active arterial bleeding, oozing, non-bleeding visible vessel, adherent clot, or flat spot. Although other approaches, such as nuclear medicine scans and angiography of various types (CT, MRI, or standard angiography), for the early diagnosis of patients with severe hematochezia are utilized in many medical centers, only active bleeding can be detected by these techniques.

Would love to hear how diverticular bleeds are managed at your institution.

See how AGA members responded and join the discussion.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion: 

Vivy Tran, MD, wrote in “Definitive diverticular hemorrhage: Diagnosis and management”:

Diverticular hemorrhage is the most common cause of colonic bleeding, accounting for 20%-65% of cases of severe lower intestinal bleeding in adults. Urgent colonoscopy after purging the colon of blood, clots, and stool is the most accurate method of diagnosing and guiding treatment of definitive diverticular hemorrhage. The diagnosis of definitive diverticular hemorrhage depends upon identification of some stigmata of recent hemorrhage in a single diverticulum, which can include active arterial bleeding, oozing, non-bleeding visible vessel, adherent clot, or flat spot. Although other approaches, such as nuclear medicine scans and angiography of various types (CT, MRI, or standard angiography), for the early diagnosis of patients with severe hematochezia are utilized in many medical centers, only active bleeding can be detected by these techniques.

Would love to hear how diverticular bleeds are managed at your institution.

See how AGA members responded and join the discussion.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion: 

Vivy Tran, MD, wrote in “Definitive diverticular hemorrhage: Diagnosis and management”:

Diverticular hemorrhage is the most common cause of colonic bleeding, accounting for 20%-65% of cases of severe lower intestinal bleeding in adults. Urgent colonoscopy after purging the colon of blood, clots, and stool is the most accurate method of diagnosing and guiding treatment of definitive diverticular hemorrhage. The diagnosis of definitive diverticular hemorrhage depends upon identification of some stigmata of recent hemorrhage in a single diverticulum, which can include active arterial bleeding, oozing, non-bleeding visible vessel, adherent clot, or flat spot. Although other approaches, such as nuclear medicine scans and angiography of various types (CT, MRI, or standard angiography), for the early diagnosis of patients with severe hematochezia are utilized in many medical centers, only active bleeding can be detected by these techniques.

Would love to hear how diverticular bleeds are managed at your institution.

See how AGA members responded and join the discussion.

One of the most devastating complications in any endoscopic procedure is a perforation that may result in a life-threatening situation for the patient and abrupt termination of the intended procedure. The new AGA Clinical Practice Update on Endoscopic Management of Perforations in Gastrointestinal Tract: Expert Review offers a practical approach to prevent GI perforations, as well as detect subtle signs of and endoscopically manage them.

Best practice advice

• The area of perforation should be kept clean to prevent any spillage of gastrointestinal contents into the perforation by aspirating liquids and, if necessary, changing the patient position to bring the perforation into a nondependent location while minimizing insufflation of carbon dioxide to avoid compartment syndrome.
• Use of carbon dioxide for insufflation is encouraged for all endoscopic procedures, especially any endoscopic procedure with increased risk of perforation. If available, carbon dioxide should be used for all endoscopic procedures.
• All endoscopists should be aware of the procedures that carry an increased risk for perforation such as any dilation, foreign body removal, any per oral endoscopic myotomy (Zenker’s, esophageal, pyloric), stricture incision, thermal coagulation for hemostasis or tumor ablation, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, ampullectomy, endoscopic mucosal resectio, endoscopic submucosal dissection, endoluminal stenting with self-expanding metal stent, full-thickness endoscopic resection, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in surgically altered anatomy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)–guided biliary and pancreatic access, EUS-guided cystogastrostomy, and endoscopic gastroenterostomy using a lumen apposing metal stent.
• Urgent surgical consultation should be highly considered in all cases with perforation even when endoscopic repair is technically successful.

One of the most devastating complications in any endoscopic procedure is a perforation that may result in a life-threatening situation for the patient and abrupt termination of the intended procedure. The new AGA Clinical Practice Update on Endoscopic Management of Perforations in Gastrointestinal Tract: Expert Review offers a practical approach to prevent GI perforations, as well as detect subtle signs of and endoscopically manage them.

Best practice advice

• The area of perforation should be kept clean to prevent any spillage of gastrointestinal contents into the perforation by aspirating liquids and, if necessary, changing the patient position to bring the perforation into a nondependent location while minimizing insufflation of carbon dioxide to avoid compartment syndrome.
• Use of carbon dioxide for insufflation is encouraged for all endoscopic procedures, especially any endoscopic procedure with increased risk of perforation. If available, carbon dioxide should be used for all endoscopic procedures.
• All endoscopists should be aware of the procedures that carry an increased risk for perforation such as any dilation, foreign body removal, any per oral endoscopic myotomy (Zenker’s, esophageal, pyloric), stricture incision, thermal coagulation for hemostasis or tumor ablation, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, ampullectomy, endoscopic mucosal resectio, endoscopic submucosal dissection, endoluminal stenting with self-expanding metal stent, full-thickness endoscopic resection, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in surgically altered anatomy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)–guided biliary and pancreatic access, EUS-guided cystogastrostomy, and endoscopic gastroenterostomy using a lumen apposing metal stent.
• Urgent surgical consultation should be highly considered in all cases with perforation even when endoscopic repair is technically successful.

One of the most devastating complications in any endoscopic procedure is a perforation that may result in a life-threatening situation for the patient and abrupt termination of the intended procedure. The new AGA Clinical Practice Update on Endoscopic Management of Perforations in Gastrointestinal Tract: Expert Review offers a practical approach to prevent GI perforations, as well as detect subtle signs of and endoscopically manage them.

Best practice advice

• The area of perforation should be kept clean to prevent any spillage of gastrointestinal contents into the perforation by aspirating liquids and, if necessary, changing the patient position to bring the perforation into a nondependent location while minimizing insufflation of carbon dioxide to avoid compartment syndrome.
• Use of carbon dioxide for insufflation is encouraged for all endoscopic procedures, especially any endoscopic procedure with increased risk of perforation. If available, carbon dioxide should be used for all endoscopic procedures.
• All endoscopists should be aware of the procedures that carry an increased risk for perforation such as any dilation, foreign body removal, any per oral endoscopic myotomy (Zenker’s, esophageal, pyloric), stricture incision, thermal coagulation for hemostasis or tumor ablation, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, ampullectomy, endoscopic mucosal resectio, endoscopic submucosal dissection, endoluminal stenting with self-expanding metal stent, full-thickness endoscopic resection, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in surgically altered anatomy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)–guided biliary and pancreatic access, EUS-guided cystogastrostomy, and endoscopic gastroenterostomy using a lumen apposing metal stent.
• Urgent surgical consultation should be highly considered in all cases with perforation even when endoscopic repair is technically successful.

After an unexpected and challenging year and as the new year begins, there are some ways you can make a difference, without giving up assets you may need today.

• Beneficiary designation. Adding the AGA Research Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or other assets is simple and you don’t need to leave your home to complete the gift. Since the funds are granted after your lifetime, you can maintain your family budget today.
• Gift in your will. With as little as one sentence, you can create a brighter tomorrow at the AGA Research Foundation without parting with assets today. You can designate the AGA Research Foundation as the beneficiary of a specific asset or, as many of our donors do to ensure that their family is protected, as the recipient of a percentage of the total estate.
• Grant from your donor advised fund (DAF). This popular one-stop giving solution lets you care for multiple causes and organizations with minimal paperwork. Consider it a charitable savings account where money waits until you’re ready to distribute it. And when you use your existing DAF to recommend a grant, it means you can invest in our future without impacting your budget today.
• Distribution from your IRA. If you are 70½ years or older, you can use your IRA to make a gift directly to the AGA Research Foundation without having to pay income tax on the distribution. Beginning in the year you turn 72, you must take your required minimum distribution (RMD). You can use a gift from your IRA to satisfy all or part of your RMD.

Learn more at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org.

After an unexpected and challenging year and as the new year begins, there are some ways you can make a difference, without giving up assets you may need today.

• Beneficiary designation. Adding the AGA Research Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or other assets is simple and you don’t need to leave your home to complete the gift. Since the funds are granted after your lifetime, you can maintain your family budget today.
• Gift in your will. With as little as one sentence, you can create a brighter tomorrow at the AGA Research Foundation without parting with assets today. You can designate the AGA Research Foundation as the beneficiary of a specific asset or, as many of our donors do to ensure that their family is protected, as the recipient of a percentage of the total estate.
• Grant from your donor advised fund (DAF). This popular one-stop giving solution lets you care for multiple causes and organizations with minimal paperwork. Consider it a charitable savings account where money waits until you’re ready to distribute it. And when you use your existing DAF to recommend a grant, it means you can invest in our future without impacting your budget today.
• Distribution from your IRA. If you are 70½ years or older, you can use your IRA to make a gift directly to the AGA Research Foundation without having to pay income tax on the distribution. Beginning in the year you turn 72, you must take your required minimum distribution (RMD). You can use a gift from your IRA to satisfy all or part of your RMD.

Learn more at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org.

After an unexpected and challenging year and as the new year begins, there are some ways you can make a difference, without giving up assets you may need today.

• Beneficiary designation. Adding the AGA Research Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or other assets is simple and you don’t need to leave your home to complete the gift. Since the funds are granted after your lifetime, you can maintain your family budget today.
• Gift in your will. With as little as one sentence, you can create a brighter tomorrow at the AGA Research Foundation without parting with assets today. You can designate the AGA Research Foundation as the beneficiary of a specific asset or, as many of our donors do to ensure that their family is protected, as the recipient of a percentage of the total estate.
• Grant from your donor advised fund (DAF). This popular one-stop giving solution lets you care for multiple causes and organizations with minimal paperwork. Consider it a charitable savings account where money waits until you’re ready to distribute it. And when you use your existing DAF to recommend a grant, it means you can invest in our future without impacting your budget today.
• Distribution from your IRA. If you are 70½ years or older, you can use your IRA to make a gift directly to the AGA Research Foundation without having to pay income tax on the distribution. Beginning in the year you turn 72, you must take your required minimum distribution (RMD). You can use a gift from your IRA to satisfy all or part of your RMD.

Learn more at https://gastro.planmylegacy.org.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:  

Robert Herman, MD, wrote in “Rectal lesion”:

A 42-year-old healthy female was seen by me for symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia that was unresponsive to H2 Blockers and for assessment for screening colonoscopy. Her father had developed colon cancer at the age of 50. She denied changes in bowel habits, pattern, rectal bleeding, or melena. An EGD revealed a medium sized hiatal hernia and LA Grade B esophagitis that responded well to an OTC PPI qd.

A colonoscopy was performed and revealed a 4-cm anterior rectal “bulge” just above the hemorrhoidal plexus, appearing somewhat firm and mobile on probing the lesion with a closed biopsy forceps, and a 1 cm sessile IC valve adenomatous polyp.

And then the endoscopic medical assistant made a comment that changed everything. Read the full case discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/25568.
 

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:  

Robert Herman, MD, wrote in “Rectal lesion”:

A 42-year-old healthy female was seen by me for symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia that was unresponsive to H2 Blockers and for assessment for screening colonoscopy. Her father had developed colon cancer at the age of 50. She denied changes in bowel habits, pattern, rectal bleeding, or melena. An EGD revealed a medium sized hiatal hernia and LA Grade B esophagitis that responded well to an OTC PPI qd.

A colonoscopy was performed and revealed a 4-cm anterior rectal “bulge” just above the hemorrhoidal plexus, appearing somewhat firm and mobile on probing the lesion with a closed biopsy forceps, and a 1 cm sessile IC valve adenomatous polyp.

And then the endoscopic medical assistant made a comment that changed everything. Read the full case discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/25568.
 

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices, and diagnoses. Here’s a preview of a recent popular clinical discussion:  

Robert Herman, MD, wrote in “Rectal lesion”:

A 42-year-old healthy female was seen by me for symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia that was unresponsive to H2 Blockers and for assessment for screening colonoscopy. Her father had developed colon cancer at the age of 50. She denied changes in bowel habits, pattern, rectal bleeding, or melena. An EGD revealed a medium sized hiatal hernia and LA Grade B esophagitis that responded well to an OTC PPI qd.

A colonoscopy was performed and revealed a 4-cm anterior rectal “bulge” just above the hemorrhoidal plexus, appearing somewhat firm and mobile on probing the lesion with a closed biopsy forceps, and a 1 cm sessile IC valve adenomatous polyp.

And then the endoscopic medical assistant made a comment that changed everything. Read the full case discussion: https://community.gastro.org/posts/25568.
 

Patients with cirrhosis, or permanent liver damage, are at higher risk for coagulation disorders, which impact your body’s ability to control blood clotting. This puts cirrhosis patients at increased risk of morbidity and mortality when undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic invasive procedures. AGA has released new clinical guidelines to change how you identify and treat coagulation disorders in patients with cirrhosis. In this new guidance, AGA recommends against the use of extensive preprocedural testing to estimate clotting in patients with cirrhosis. These guidelines, which were developed after a detailed review of available literature, are published in Gastroenterology, AGA’s official journal.

Key guideline recommendations:

• Extensive preprocedural testing, including measurements of prothrombin time/international normalized ratio or platelet count, should not routinely be performed in patients with stable cirrhosis undergoing common GI procedures.
• Blood products, including fresh frozen plasma or platelet transfusion, should not routinely be used for bleeding prophylaxis in patients with stable cirrhosis undergoing common GI procedures.
• Standard pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be given to hospitalized patients with cirrhosis like other medical patients.
• Anticoagulation should be used to treat acute or subacute nontumoral portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis to improve patient outcomes.

Learn more in the AGA GI Patient Center. Read the AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Coagulation Disorders in Patients with Cirrhosis to review the complete recommendations.

Patients with cirrhosis, or permanent liver damage, are at higher risk for coagulation disorders, which impact your body’s ability to control blood clotting. This puts cirrhosis patients at increased risk of morbidity and mortality when undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic invasive procedures. AGA has released new clinical guidelines to change how you identify and treat coagulation disorders in patients with cirrhosis. In this new guidance, AGA recommends against the use of extensive preprocedural testing to estimate clotting in patients with cirrhosis. These guidelines, which were developed after a detailed review of available literature, are published in Gastroenterology, AGA’s official journal.

Key guideline recommendations:

• Extensive preprocedural testing, including measurements of prothrombin time/international normalized ratio or platelet count, should not routinely be performed in patients with stable cirrhosis undergoing common GI procedures.
• Blood products, including fresh frozen plasma or platelet transfusion, should not routinely be used for bleeding prophylaxis in patients with stable cirrhosis undergoing common GI procedures.
• Standard pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be given to hospitalized patients with cirrhosis like other medical patients.
• Anticoagulation should be used to treat acute or subacute nontumoral portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis to improve patient outcomes.

Learn more in the AGA GI Patient Center. Read the AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Coagulation Disorders in Patients with Cirrhosis to review the complete recommendations.

Patients with cirrhosis, or permanent liver damage, are at higher risk for coagulation disorders, which impact your body’s ability to control blood clotting. This puts cirrhosis patients at increased risk of morbidity and mortality when undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic invasive procedures. AGA has released new clinical guidelines to change how you identify and treat coagulation disorders in patients with cirrhosis. In this new guidance, AGA recommends against the use of extensive preprocedural testing to estimate clotting in patients with cirrhosis. These guidelines, which were developed after a detailed review of available literature, are published in Gastroenterology, AGA’s official journal.

Key guideline recommendations:

• Extensive preprocedural testing, including measurements of prothrombin time/international normalized ratio or platelet count, should not routinely be performed in patients with stable cirrhosis undergoing common GI procedures.
• Blood products, including fresh frozen plasma or platelet transfusion, should not routinely be used for bleeding prophylaxis in patients with stable cirrhosis undergoing common GI procedures.
• Standard pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be given to hospitalized patients with cirrhosis like other medical patients.
• Anticoagulation should be used to treat acute or subacute nontumoral portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis to improve patient outcomes.

Learn more in the AGA GI Patient Center. Read the AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Coagulation Disorders in Patients with Cirrhosis to review the complete recommendations.

2022 Medicare payment rules contain both good and bad news for GI. First the bad news: GIs and other specialties face millions of dollars in cuts as Medicare finalized a 3.71% cut to the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, which could increase to near 9% if Congress doesn’t act.

Here are highlights from the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD)/Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) final rules.

Good news

• Telehealth reimbursement continues through December 2023.
• Medicare coverage changes from the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act were finalized and coinsurance reduction will start Jan. 1, 2022, with full phase out by 2030.

Bad news

• A 3.71% cut to MPFS 2022 conversion factor, which could result in a up to 9% cut to our practices. Email your lawmaker now.
• HOPD and ASC conversion factors will increase 2% for those that meet applicable quality reporting requirements.
• New MPFS payments for peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and some capsule endoscopy CPT codes not as high as expected.

2022 Medicare payment rules contain both good and bad news for GI. First the bad news: GIs and other specialties face millions of dollars in cuts as Medicare finalized a 3.71% cut to the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, which could increase to near 9% if Congress doesn’t act.

Here are highlights from the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD)/Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) final rules.

Good news

• Telehealth reimbursement continues through December 2023.
• Medicare coverage changes from the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act were finalized and coinsurance reduction will start Jan. 1, 2022, with full phase out by 2030.

Bad news

• A 3.71% cut to MPFS 2022 conversion factor, which could result in a up to 9% cut to our practices. Email your lawmaker now.
• HOPD and ASC conversion factors will increase 2% for those that meet applicable quality reporting requirements.
• New MPFS payments for peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and some capsule endoscopy CPT codes not as high as expected.

2022 Medicare payment rules contain both good and bad news for GI. First the bad news: GIs and other specialties face millions of dollars in cuts as Medicare finalized a 3.71% cut to the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, which could increase to near 9% if Congress doesn’t act.

Here are highlights from the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD)/Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) final rules.

Good news

• Telehealth reimbursement continues through December 2023.
• Medicare coverage changes from the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act were finalized and coinsurance reduction will start Jan. 1, 2022, with full phase out by 2030.

Bad news

• A 3.71% cut to MPFS 2022 conversion factor, which could result in a up to 9% cut to our practices. Email your lawmaker now.
• HOPD and ASC conversion factors will increase 2% for those that meet applicable quality reporting requirements.
• New MPFS payments for peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and some capsule endoscopy CPT codes not as high as expected.