Beginning January 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) will no longer cover the use of deep sleep anesthesia for certain gastrointestinal patients undergoing endoscopic, bronchoscopic, or interventional pain procedures. This applies to all colonoscopies, including those done for colorectal cancer screening.
Read MoreFive Middlesex Digestive Health & Endoscopy Center Physicians named “Top Doctors”
Boston Magazine has recognized Dr. Raj Devarajan, Dr. Mark Epstein, Dr. Gail Herzig, Dr. Benjamin Hyatt and Dr. Peter Krims as “Top Doctors” on their 2021 list. All five physicians were designated in both 2020 and 2021! Congratulations! Click here for the full article.
Middlesex Digestive Continues to Protect Patients from COVID-19
Here at Middlesex Endoscopy Center, we are taking every COVID-19 precaution to ensure that patient safety is our top priority. We have implemented social distancing and are only allowing a certain number of people in the building at any given time. We have also spaced out the chairs in the waiting area so they are at least 6-feet apart. Our staff both, medical and business, will wear masks during all interactions. Medical staff will also be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) that will be changed after every patient.
Our Patients Journey During COVID-19
To ensure that we are keeping everyone safe, we have implemented new extensive precautions, which can impact your wait time. Please be aware that you could be here for up to 3 ½ hours.
- You will receive a call from Emerson COVID-19 scheduling as we are requiring all patients to have COVID-19 testing 72 hours prior to your procedure. You will ONLY receive a call with your results if you are positive.
- Please wear a mask if you have one. If you do not, we will supply you with one once you get to our facility.
- Once you arrive for your appointment please come through the double doors, and someone will be there to greet you. That is when we will perform a final health screening before entering the building.
How We Disinfect Our Facility
All procedure rooms will have a deep cleaning after every procedure, we also have Beyond Guardian Air, air purifiers in every procedure room. This air purifier captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.1 micron, it has a five-stage filter and uses ActivePure Technology, which is used on the International Space Station. We are also spraying the entire building weekly with an Electrostatic Sprayer, which is effective against SARS-CoV2, staph, E coli and Salmonella enterica.
Unfortunately, no rides are allowed into the building. Your ride will receive a call from a nurse when you are almost ready to go.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 978-429-2000.
Middlesex Digestive Patients to Check In Via Clearwave Mobile App
Middlesex Digestive is moving into the future with an online check in kiosk, which will help patients check in for their appointment from their mobile or tablet device.
This new system, Clearwave, will not only help our efforts with limiting person-to-person contact in our center during the COVID-19 pandemic but will also save patients time.
How it Works:
- Step 1: Patient receives a text or email reminder in advance of their appointment, or a real-time text message if scheduled the same day.
- Step 2: Patient completes the pre-check process and is informed about the virtual waiting room option.
- Step 3: Our staff verifies patient information, reviews COVID-19 screening process and flags.
- Step 4: Upon arrival to our parking lot, the patient calls or texts provided number to alert us or their arrival.
- Step 5: Our staff checks the patient into Clearwave, which automatically checks patient in to the system. Staff updates the patient status when the doctor is ready.
- Step 6: Real-time text is sent to the patient alerting them that it is time to come inside, and the appointment occurs.
We are confident our new check-in system will delight our patients. To read more about Clearwave, please visit clearwaveinc.com. If you have any questions, please call us at (978) 226-1351.
Middlesex Digestive Ups Patient Air Quality Amid COVID-19
In an effort to provide the cleanest air amid COVID-19, our center is utilizing Beyond by Aerus to remove 99.97 percent of particles in our facility.
The Energy Star certified Beyond Guardian Air provides better-than-HEPA filtration and proprietary ActivePure® Technology which is based on technology originally developed by NASA researchers for use on the International Space Station. It is recognized exclusively, worldwide, as Certified Space Technology.
About Beyond by Aerus
- The only air purifier on the market that uses an exclusive combination of technologies, including ion generation, a better-than-HEPA filter, Photocatalytic Oxidation and a proprietary ActivePure® Technology.
- ActivePure® Technology has been university tested and proven effective on bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi in the air and on surfaces
- Eliminates common triggers of allergies, asthma, and irritants to those with sensitive immune systems
- Uses ActivePure® Technology to create pristine air quality and attack contaminants
- on surfaces
- Ten unique features include technologies to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.01 micron
- Whisper-silent operation and purifies up to 2,000 sq. ft.
- Destroys VOCs, smoke and odors without ozone
- ActivePure is the only air purification technology in the world granted the Certified Space Technology seal by the Space Foundation
Click here for more information on how we are providing the best air quality for our patients.
Boston 25 News: Dr. Raj Devarajan Sees Cancer Spike in Young Patients During COVID-19
Boston 25 News published a story interviewing a Middlesex Digestive Endoscopy doctor who has been seeing a spike in advanced cancers in younger people who fear seeing a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Middlesex Digest Endoscopy’s Dr. Raj Devarajan encountered a 29-year-old Chelmsford woman who felt something was off with her body. After scheduling a colonoscopy with Devarajan, she learned she had Stage 4 colon cancer.
“Because of COVID, routine care has been ignored,” Deverajan said to Boston 25 News. “Patients only go when they absolutely have to go.”
Devarajan says he and his fellow gastroenterologists are seeing patients as young as 25 years old being diagnosed with cancer.
“The American Cancer Society has recognized that, and now moved the normal screening from 50 to age 45,” Devarajan said.
If Americans continue to put off seeing a doctor for routine care, Devarajan believes COVID-19 won’t be the country’s only health concern.
“I think by December we are going to see more advanced cancers because they haven’t been screened,” he said.
To Read the Full Story and To Watch the Video, Click Here.
Schedule Your Appointment with our Physicians via Telemedicine
Our center’s physicians know the strain COVID-19 will place on our healthcare system. Even though our endoscopy center has temporarily postponed elective surgeries until May 26, our doctors and nurse practitioner are still seeing patients daily in-office or via telemedicine. If patients choose to visit the office, we are taking extra precautions to ensure their safety. Click Here to Read What Steps We’re Taking to Keep Patients Safe During COVID-19.
If a patient is seeking care without leaving their home, then we are happy to meet that need with our telemedicine visits. To schedule a telemedicine appointment, please call (979) 429-2000 or (978) 429-2010.