North Country Gastroenterology Executive Summary 2022

The North Country Gastroenterology Experience 2022

“Five studies have established that gastroenterologists are more effective than surgeons and primary care physicians at preventing colorectal cancer by colonoscopy (CRC).” I According Corley published in the New England Journal of Medicine, there is a 3 percent reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and a 5 percent reduction in cancer mortality for each 1 percent increase in adenoma detection rate.

• Colonoscopy is the most effective procedure for finding adenomatous polyps if the adenoma detection rate is high enough; according to the studies adenomas should be detected at least 25% of the time.

  •   In 2022 we have had an adenoma detection rate of 57%. For the last 9 years our adenoma detection rate is 48%.     

  • North Country Gastroenterology participates in a Nation Wide registry, in comparison NCG adenoma detection rate is 9.5% higher than the Nation Wide registry.

• According to the recent studies, inadequate preparation should not occur in more than 15% of colonoscopies. 

  • Patients at North Country Gastroenterology (NCG) have an inadequate prep rate of only 4.3%.

• Cecal intubation should happen in at least 90% of colonoscopies and photographic documentation in 95%.

  • At NCG we reach cecal intubation in 100% of colonoscopies and every patient goes home with photographs of our findings.

• Perforation should occur in less than 1/1000 for screening procedures and 1/500 for all other exams.

  • Out of a total of 16,149 cases, we have only had 2 perforations; both with polyp removal and none for screening purposes.

• Withdrawal time of the colonoscopy should be greater than or equal to 6 mins.

  • 100% of completed colonoscopies done at NCG take greater than 6 minutes to withdraw. The average withdrawal time at NCG is more than 10 minutes.

• Sessile polyps less than 2 cm should be removed endoscopically in more than 90% of cases.

  • 100% of those polyps have been removed at the time of endoscopy here at NCG.

• A second look in the colon via forward view or retroflex view should be done in the majority of screening cases, as this can increase adenoma detection rates thus decreasing colorectal cancer.

  • 100% of colonoscopies performed include a second look at the ascending colon and cecum.

I. Rex, Douglas K. MD, Schoenfeld, Philip S. MD, MSEd, MSc (Epi), Cohen, Jonathan MD, Pike, Irving M. MD, Adler, Douglas G. MD, Fennerty, M. Brian MD, Lieb II, John G. MD, Park, Walter G. MD, Rizk, Maged K. MD, Sawhney, Mandeep S. MD, MS, Shaheen, Nicholas J. MD, MPH, Wani, Sachin MD, and Weinberg, David S. MD, MSc. (2014). Quality Indicators for Colonoscopy. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 110: 72-90. Doi 10.1038/ajg.2014.385

NCG and COVID-19

North Country Gastroenterology is still accepting new patients at this time; we are also trying to maintain our excellent patient care by continuing with regular follow ups and diagnostic procedures. If you or your providers have any questions please feel free to call 603-444-0272 and use ext 19 to speak with our office manager.

During this COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Mitz is also offering tele-health calls when appropriate. This will allow our patients to still have appropriate follow up appointments while maintaining social distancing and staying healthy. Dr. Mitz is offering these appointments on a case by case basis. If you are interested please call the office at 444-0272 and let us know you are interested. Dr. Mitz will be utilizing the application called Skype to video chat with patients. 

If you need a screening colonoscopy or upper endoscopy we can do all the preliminary work on the phone and via the mail. However we will be waiting until the COVID -19 pandemic has subsided before we schedule screening procedures. 

To learn more about COVID-19 please use this link to see the newest information directly from the Center of Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

1st Annual Blue Hair Day

Come join North Country Gastroenterology for the first annual blue hair day!

Dr. Howard Mitz is teaming up with Mane Street Styles owner Deanna, to offer hair extensions to the public to raise awareness for colon cancer. North Country Gastroenterology will donate to the American Cancer Society by paying for the cost of the blue hair for all participants that come to North Country Gastroenterology to participate.

Come to North County Gastroenterology, located at 220 Cottage Street in Littleton on March 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to participate, no appointment needed. We will also be offering light refreshments; participants may donate to the American Cancer Society if they wish.

March is colon cancer awareness month and this year Dr. Mitz and his staff want to help bring more attention to fighting colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cancer related death in America right now. It is preventable with timely colonoscopies and follow up surveillance. Please join us at 220 Cottage street Littleton NH on March 3rd and help us to spread awareness for colon cancer!

For the remainder of the month Mane Street Styles will continue to offer the blue hair extensions for a 10 dollar donation towards the American Cancer Society, no appointment needed!

How to Prevent Colon Cancer

March is colon cancer prevention month, and there are some guidelines that can help you stay clear of this serious disease.

Colon cancer is a preventable cancer if caught early; it is important to have regular screenings and follow-ups.

One in 22 men and one in 24 women may develop colon cancer in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. Colon cancer is the third leading diagnosed cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but with a high quality colonoscopy you can decrease your risk by up to 90 percent.

Although the exact cause for polyp formation and colon cancer is unknown, there are several risk factors that have been linked to the formation of the polyps.

There are genetic risk factors that individuals cannot avoid, such as family history and age. But there are others that can be changed. According to the American Cancer Society, reducing or eliminating the following risk factors can significantly reduce your risk of developing colon cancer: obesity, physical inactivity, diets high in red meats, smoking, and heavy alcohol use.

For most people, screening for colon cancer begins at age 50. Colonoscopies are recommended to begin at an earlier age if you have a family history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, or an inherited syndrome or personal history of inflammatory bowel disease. 

When you need a gastroenterologist, look for one with an excellent adenoma detection rate or ADR- the higher the number, the better. This is a method to measure the accuracy and effectiveness of the physician. An acceptable ADR is 25 percent.

North Country Gastroenterology's Dr. Howard Mitz's 2017 ADR rate was 49 percent. Click here to learn more about NCG's colonoscopy statistics and facts.

North Country Gastroenterology offers colonoscopies and other services to patients in the Littleton, Lancaster, Woodsville, Plymouth, and North Conway areas.

North Country Gastroenterology brings attention to Colon Cancer Awareness month

LITTLETON—March was Colon Cancer Awareness month, a disease that affects over 140,000 Americans annually. North Country Gastroenterology (NCG) is on a mission to reduce those numbers.

NCG’s Dr. Howard Mitz revealed, “Colon cancer can affect anyone, even if there’s no family history of it.” He continued, “Older people are more at risk, which is why we recommend screening every ten years starting at the age of 50.”

According to many organizations, screening is the most effective way to prevent colon cancer from developing or finding cancer in an earlier stage.  Colon cancer does not have symptoms until late stages.

Screening performed through a colonoscopy, a virtually painless procedure that examines the inner lining of the large intestine and colon using a thin, flexible tube. Along with finding polyps and tumors, colonoscopies help doctors find ulcers and areas of inflammation or bleeding.

According to an article from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, it cites five articles stating that gastroenterologists are more effective than surgeons and primary care physicians at preventing colorectal cancer by colonoscopy. “We strive for a clinical setting that’s not intimidating,” explained Dr. Mitz. “While we utilize hospital grade equipment and are set-up like one, we’re located in a former residential home. When designing the office, we strived to maintain the building’s charm and comforts, which many of our patients have described as ‘homey.’”

NCG has also made the process of scheduling a colonoscopy hassle free through their open access program, which allows patients to be evaluated over the phone. Patients’ first appointment is their colonoscopy, which saves them time and money. NCG’s patient-first efforts are working.

 Dr. Mitz estimates he has performed over 12,000 colonoscopy procedures throughout his career, and can perform several a day while keeping to an individual approach to each patient.

The staff at NCG works as a team, noted Dr. Mitz. They monitor the digital screen alongside him to ensure a thorough procedure. “We strive for accuracy, not quantity,” noted Dr. Mitz. We’re not a production line.”

To schedule your appointment with North Country Gastroenterology, call (603)444-0272 or visit www.ncgastronh.com.