Hoag Introduces Revolutionary Gastrointestinal Ultrasound for Digestive Health
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2025) – The Hoag Digestive Health Institute has become the first in Orange County, and one of the first in California, to introduce a revolutionary gastrointestinal ultrasound technology for the detection and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The non-invasive, zero-radiation technology is poised to change the way Hoag IBD specialists monitor and treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other chronic conditions.
Gastrointestinal ultrasound technology is new to the U.S. and with the unveiling of the Samsung RS85 Prestige, visionary physician leaders at Hoag’s Margolis Family Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program are bringing patients access to this innovative imaging option.
“Gastrointestinal ultrasound is a game-changer for patients. In a 10-minute office visit, a patient can receive the detailed information they need about the progress and effectiveness of their treatment regimen,” said Rashmi Kumar, M.D., gastroenterologist for the Margolis Family Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program at Hoag. “They do not have to fast, drink a contrast or do any prep. And they get the results right away.”
While Hoag’s cutting-edge MRI, CT and colonoscopy technologies remain critical for the diagnosis and treatment management of patients contending with IBD, gastrointestinal ultrasound will provide important information during doctor’s visits – a fact that resonates with Hoag’s highly collaborative, patient-centric team.
“The technology is safe, fast, effective and has been proven to help patients manage their ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease by providing a new way to visualize the progress of their treatment in the doctor’s office,” said Kenneth Chang, M.D., the James & Pamela Muzzy Executive Director Endowed Chair in GI Cancer, Digestive Health Institute. “This allows for quick pivots in care, if necessary, without the need for more expensive imaging or additional appointments. Using this ultrasound, we will be able to partner with our patients more effectively on their care journey.”
Funded by philanthropy, the RS85 Prestige is more advanced than traditional ultrasound that uses several image enhancing innovations and vascular detection technologies, along with imaging that provides high-quality views of blood flow, scar tissue and bowel damage.
Because it does not use radiation, the intestinal ultrasound can be repeated often and can be used on patients who are pregnant or who are otherwise unable to undergo invasive procedures.
“Gastrointestinal ultrasound opens the door for more patients to receive fast, valuable information. This is critical for people managing a chronic illness,” said Caroline Hwang, M.D., Margolis Family Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program director and board-certified gastroenterologist. “We are grateful for the philanthropic support that has allowed us to bring this cutting-edge technology to Orange County. This will become the standard of care in the future, and it’s being pioneered at Hoag today.”
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ABOUT HOAG
Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 17 urgent care facilities, 12 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.