NEWS RELEASE
GEORGIAN BAY GENERAL HOSPITAL
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Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has added a new service to its growing surgical program in an effort to better serve its community.
The hospital anticipates completing up to 100 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures annually using a new piece of equipment called the C-Arm. ERCP is an advanced endoscopic procedure performed to access and repair bile and pancreatic ducts.
“ERCP is an important procedure for patients experiencing post-surgical complications such as a bile leak, malignant biliary obstructions and choledocholithiasis, which occurs when there are gallstones in the common bile duct,” says Dr. Katherine Aucoin, general surgeon, GBGH.
“I am very pleased we can now bring ERCP to local patients, as well as others across the region who may not have access to this procedure in their home hospital.”
Emergent ERCP procedures will be performed by Dr. Aucoin for GBGH inpatients, as well as inpatients from other hospitals where they do not have this service available. Outpatients in the community who require this procedure on a semi-urgent or elective basis can be referred by a physician to Dr. Aucoin at Bayside Surgical Associates.
“GBGH is committed to continually providing patient-centred care that aligns with the needs of the community we serve,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of staff and emergency physician, GBGH.
“By expanding our services, we are improving access and bringing care closer to home for local patients. We will also continue to pursue equipment and technology, such as the C-Arm, which helps us improve patient experiences, outcomes and access to care. For all these reasons, the continued growth of GBGH’s surgical program is a priority for this hospital.”
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