713-442-0427Our Experts
Working on a story? Need a medical expert to interview? Our media relations team can help you arrange an interview.
Media Contacts
Fast Track Scheduling With Direct Access Colonoscopy Appointment Program
Houston (March 12, 2010) – Patients at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic who have a primary care physician can now directly schedule appointments for a colonoscopy in the Ambulatory Service Center rather than being referred through a gastroenterologist prior to their procedure.
"The Direct Access Colonoscopy Program allows qualified Kelsey-Seybold patients to fast-track the colonoscopy procedure," said John I. Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G. with the Gastroenterology Department at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. "This program provides a welcomed relief to a procedure that can often be thought of as inconvenient and worrisome for our patients."
The Direct Access Colonoscopy Program at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic eliminates the need for healthy patients to meet with a Kelsey-Seybold gastroenterologist for a pre-consultation appointment. To qualify, patients must have a Kelsey-Seybold primary care physician, be between the ages of 50-70 years, be in good health and never had a colon screening in the past. These inclusions are assessed during a telephone interview with the patient and nurse.
Scheduling a colonoscopy has never been easier. Watch our video to find out what Gastroenterologist Dr. John Hughes has to say about Kelsey-Seybold's Direct Access Colonoscopy Program.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States in men and women combined. Kelsey-Seybold gastroenterologists consider colonoscopy the preferred screening technique to help diagnose this disorder. A colonoscopy should be performed beginning at age 50, and every 10 years thereafter or as prescribed by the patient's physician.
Joseph Sloan, a Kelsey-Seybold patient, said "I found the program very convenient and appreciated the ability to streamline the scheduling process due to my busy schedule. My tests were completed the week after seeing my primary care physician."
Any patient with outstanding or pending referrals to cardiology or pulmonary physicians, who requires supplemental oxygen therapy or has been diagnosed with advanced renal disease, CAD, CHF, COPD or chronic lung disease needs.
To schedule an appointment, contact your Kelsey-Seybold primary care physician or call 713-442-0000.
About Kelsey-Seybold
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is Houston's premier multispecialty group practice, founded in 1949 by Dr. Mavis Kelsey in Houston's renowned Texas Medical Center. More than 850 physicians and allied health professionals practice at 40 locations in the Greater Houston area. Kelsey-Seybold offers quality medical care in 65+ medical specialties. The organization operates the largest freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Center in the state of Texas and offers state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam and Varian Edge radiation therapy technology at a nationally accredited Cancer Center. An accredited Sleep Center, comprehensive laboratory services, advanced imaging and diagnostics, 24 onsite Kelsey pharmacies and one specialty pharmacy, and MyKelseyOnline, a secure web portal, are part of its comprehensive offerings. Kelsey-Seybold partners with major insurers to offer value-based commercial health plans. KelseyCare Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan offered to Houston-area beneficiaries and affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, has achieved the coveted 5-out-of-5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for eight consecutive years.
Kelsey-Seybold has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization and is home to a nationally accredited Breast Diagnostic Center and Endoscopy Center.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 91. NPS is the global standard for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. An NPS score of 70 or higher is considered by industry experts to be "world class" and an indicator of overwhelming customer loyalty.