Oprah Winfrey advises of the 6 most important questions to ask if you are having a procedure at an out of hospital facility.

See the article at Oprah.com here.

This is not an endorsement by Oprah, these are answers from our facility to the questions she recommends you ask.

Wherever you have your procedure, ask these questions. For us at the Endoscopy Center of the North Shore, here are our answers:

“Is this the best setting for me?”

Knowledge of your individual case is key to being the right fit. Dr. Mehta or Dr. Bianchi will personally review all available information in your health history, all prior results, and your specific symptoms and concerns. You will be examined and the procedure explained directly by the doctor. For full transparency, you will be given a color copy of your procedure notes and pictures.

Is your office accredited and licensed?”

The law doesn’t demand accreditation, but you should. There are many stand-alone facilities operating with no oversight. Our facility is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (QuadA.org) and licensed by the State of Illinois. Strict quality improvement programs, tracking patient outcomes, preop testing for COVID19, and other interventions keep us a step ahead.

“Who will administer the anesthesia?”

A board-certified anesthesiologist will assess you beforehand and will be present throughout the procedure. We use MD’s to directly provide care, and not just a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) under remote supervision.

“Are you board-certified in this field?”

Dr. Mehta is Board Certified in Gastroenterology. He is also a Fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. In 2024, he was named as one of Chicago Magazine’s Top Doctors.

Dr. Bianchi is also Board Certified in Gastroenterology. She completed medical school at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Internal Medicine residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  Following her residency, Dr. Bianchi completed her GI) fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. She is an experienced gastroenterologist, having been in practice at NorthShore for 16 years.

The facility itself has the ASGE’s Quality Star Certification, the highest quality standard available, just like the hospital. No other local office based endoscopy center has this quality designation.

“What emergency procedures are in place?”

The facility has a fully equipped staff , equipment, and protocols for dealing with emergencies. We have professional resuscitation training in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support program from the American Heart Association. A fully equipped crash cart, defibrillator, oxygen, and emergency cardiopulmonary equipment is maintained on site at all times. We have an agreement with Evanston Hospital to take expedited transfers as needed. We have never needed this type of intervention.

“Who will monitor my recovery?”

Your recovery team consists of your anesthesiologist, an RN, and your gastroenterologist. You will not be discharged without all 3 and you being ready! Dr. Mehta or Dr. Bianchi will personally review your findings with you in detail when you are awake.