EvergreenHealth Performs First-Ever Endoscopic Liver Biopsy on the Eastside
The EvergreenHealth Medical Group continues to expand and provide local access to critical, specialized services
KIRKLAND, Wash. — Since opening in late July, EvergreenHealth's newly formed Gastroenterology & Advanced Endoscopy Care practice is delivering complex care previously unavailable to Eastside residents without having to travel to Seattle.
EvergreenHealth's Dr. Rajnish Mishra, head of the Gastroenterology & Advanced Endoscopy practice, has recently completed three procedures for one patient that have previously not been performed on the Eastside. The patient, who presented with a mass on their pancreas and liver with severe jaundice, received the first endoscopic liver biopsy ever performed on the Eastside, an endoscopic ultrasound biopsy for the pancreatic mass to determine the diagnosis and a surgical repair of an obstruction to their bile duct. Dr. Mishra was able to drain the fluid from the obstructed bile duct by placing a stent endoscopically, providing the patient instant relief from their symptoms as well as jaundice.
Dr. Mishra's extensive expertise allowed him to perform all three procedures at once, while elsewhere, the three procedures would have been done separately by multiple specialists. An example of EvergreenHealth's comprehensive services, this 3-in-1 approach saved the patient from having to undergo multiple invasive procedures as well as a delay in care and a prolonged recovery period.
"Our ability to perform these three procedures at once saved our patient from not only a number of inconveniences but their outcome is likely improved," said Dr. Mishra. "With a much shorter recovery time and a far less invasive approach than what is otherwise available, our patient went home just 48 hours after their procedure and will be able to begin treatment much sooner."
With these latest developments in EvergreenHealth's services, Eastside community members now have access to expert gastroenterology care close to home.
Following the procedure, the patient was put in touch with an EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator who now works with them to coordinate every step in their treatment plan moving forward no matter what the diagnosis is.
Residents of the Eastside, as well as the greater Puget Sound region, have few options when it comes to this level of advanced gastrointestinal care. Without EvergreenHealth's new practice, the patient would have needed to travel to a tertiary hospital in Seattle for such integrated care.
"Ensuring that we continue to evolve and grow to meet the demands of our community and patients is of utmost importance to us as a community-owned, public hospital district. Dr. Mishra's expertise and new services available at EvergreenHealth Gastroenterology & Advanced Endoscopy Care is a prime example of our commitment to serving our community. You can receive the best care available in the region locally," said Mark Freeborn, MD, Chief Medical Officer, EvergreenHealth Medical Group.
EvergreenHealth Gastroenterology & Advanced Endoscopy is located on the hospital system's Kirkland campus at 12333 NE 130th Lane, Suite Tan 400. You can also find more information about Dr. Mishra on the EvergreenHealth website.
