How to Choose a Los Angeles Gastroenterologist for Your Colonoscopy
Are you looking for a highly qualified Los Angeles gastroenterologist to perform your colonoscopy? There are actually quite a few reasons to select Peyton Berookim, MD, FACG if you live anywhere near Los Angeles. Colonoscopy and other endoscopic procedures such as EGD (upper endoscopy) require a significant amount of skill and experience to give patients the most accurate test results. Here are 10 reasons to make Dr. Berookim your first choice when choosing a GI doctor.
#1 Advanced Specialization
Colonoscopy is a procedure that must be conducted very thoroughly and with excellent technique for the best outcome. This capability comes from years of experience performing thousands of colonoscopies. Not surprisingly, medical studies document that gastroenterologists have a higher track record for detecting polyps than other physicians and surgeons. Dr. Berookim’s practice is dedicated to gastroenterology with a special focus on colon health and cancer prevention.
#2 Double Board Certification
Dr. Berookim maintains certification with both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Gastroenterology. He meets all the rigorous standards for knowledge, hands-on training, experience, ethics, and continuing education required by these certifying organizations.
#3 In Depth Training
Dr. Berookim was fortunate to receive advanced training from one the finest medical universities in California. His three year fellowship in Digestive Diseases at the prestigious UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine has served as a strong foundation for his ongoing specialization in colon health. Working and learning alongside some of the nation’s best medical teachers has helped him develop a practice based on superior standards of care.
#4 Fellowship and Professional Membership
Dr. Berookim has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG) – a status reserved for the most recognized GI doctors in the nation. Furthermore, medicine is constantly changing and a dedicated physician stays up to date with best practices by participating in professional organizations. Dr. Berookim is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
#5 Hospital Affiliation and Facilities
Dr. Berookim understands that any medical treatment is a team effort. Dr. Berookim will typically perform your colonoscopy at LaPeer Surgery Center which is a state-of-the-art, accredited surgical center equipped with the most modern technology. Dr. Berookim also has privileges at the elite Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. This hospital ranks #4 in the US for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. (US News and World Report’s 2013 Best Hospital Rankings).
#6 Greater Thoroughness of Inspection
In a colonoscopy, the scope is gradually advanced through the colon and then slowly removed. The actual inspection of the colon for polyps occurs during the withdrawal phase. A withdrawal time of at least six minutes is recommended to adequately check for abnormal tissue and polyps. Dr. Berookim’s average withdrawal time is 12-15 minutes. Examining the colon at an unhurried and careful pace allows him to find more polyps and lesions, ensuring greater accuracy in cancer screening.
#7 Improved Polyp Detection Rate
Precancerous polyps called adenomas are detected in a substantial percentage of otherwise healthy patients who have no symptoms. The average GI doctor will find polyps in about 15% of female patients and 25% of male patients. Dr. Berookim identifies polyps in a higher percentage of men and women, catching more precancerous tissue changes and further reducing the risk of colon cancer for his patients.
#8 Skillful Technique to Complete Your Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy cannot be considered complete and thorough unless the scope travels all the way to the beginning portion of the large intestine (the area called the “cecum”). A good gastroenterologist is able to achieve this goal 90 to 95 percent of the time. Dr. Berookim is considered an expert in performing colonoscopies and has a cecal intubation rate closer to 100%, so every patient receives a complete comprehensive screening exam.
#9 Low rates of Complication
Perforation (puncture) is the most serious complication that can occur during a colonoscopy. Based on available data from around the country, this complication is fairly rare. It occurs in 1 out of 500 to 1 out of 1,000 patients. Dr. Berookim’s complication rate is far below the national average, and he always puts patient safety first during this important procedure.
#10 Awards and Reputation with Patients
Dr. Berookim is honored to be recognized with high ratings and awards from medical and professional organizations nationwide. He has been named America’s Top Gastroenterologist, been ranked one of America’s Top Physicians, and received the Patients’ Choice Award as well as the UCLA Chancellor’s Humanitarian Award.
Patients speak highly of Dr. Berookim’s commitment to providing top class care that helps them stay healthy: “I finally had my first colonoscopy and Dr. Berookim made the procedure as easy as possible for me. Beyond the actual procedure, I was really happy with how he prepared me for the colonoscopy. He educated me about the procedure itself, what he was looking for and colon cancer prevention. I will be returning to him for my future colon cancer screenings.”
If you would like Dr. Berookim to be your Los Angeles gastroenterologist, we look forward to meeting you. Call us today at 310.271.1122 to schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills office.
