Digestive Disorders Center

Uncomfortable aside, digestive disorders of all kind can interfere with your daily activities and generate necessary stress. They can also, if left untreated, become detrimental to your health.

At the Digestive Disorders Center at Griffin Hospital, we treat a wide range of digestive problems from gas, heartburn and bowel discomfort to the more severe diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including colon cancer.

We offer a wide range of advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options. All procedures are performed in our state-of-the-art GI suite by our highly skilled and experienced staff of gastroenterologists, general and colorectal surgeons, and specially trained nurses who provide exceptional care according to our Planetree patient-centered philosophy.

Our expert staff uses endoscopic instruments with high definition images to provide the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including Perioperative Anesthesia.

• Conditions We Treat
• Planetree Amenities at the Digestive Orders Center
• Signs and Symptoms of Digestive Disorders
• Your Safety and Satisfaction
• Patient Care Navigation

Conditions We Treat

We specialize in treating many conditions, including:

• Gastrointestinal Bleeding (Anemia/Hidden blood in stool)
• Polyps
• Colon Cancer Screening/Prevention
• Esophageal, Pancreatic, Stomach, Liver, Colon and Rectal Cancer
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease)
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Swallowing Disorders
• Hiatal Hernia
• Hemorrhoids
• Gallbladder, Bile Duct and Pancreas Diseases
• Cirrhosis of the Liver/Viral Hepatitis
• Lactose Intolerance
• Celiac Disease
• Barrett’s Esophagus

Planetree Amenities at the Digestive Orders Center

To aid in relaxation and healing.
As part of Griffin Health Services Corporation, The Digestive Disorders Center follows the principles of the Planetree patient-centered model of care. To aid in healing and relaxation, The Center offers the following Planetree amenities:

• Pager program for families
• Encourage patient participation to review charts
• Aroma Therapy
• Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Soft Touch Massage
• Massage Therapy
• Rice socks
• Magazine Rack
• Available coupons for non-prescription medications
• Healing Garden
• Health Resource Center
• Patient Education Packets
• Religious Services

Signs and Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders can be complex and show subtle symptoms. They may be inherited or develop from factors, including stress, fatigue, diet and smoking or alcohol abuse.

The following symptoms may be warning signs of a digestive disorder:

• Abdominal/chest pain
• Chronic cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Diarrhea
• Gas (belching and flatulence)
• Unexplained weight loss or poor appetite
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Chronic constipation
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Rectal bleeding
• Nausea and vomiting

Get Rewarded for Choosing High-Quality Care

Connecticut State Employees and State Health Plan members can now earn a cash reward for choosing this high-quality service for their healthcare needs through the State of Connecticut Network of Distinction program. To get started book an appointment through your State Health Navigator at (866) 611-8005 or at carecompass.ct.gov/nod.

Your Safety and Satisfaction are Our Main Focus

Quality care in a patient-centered environment.

The Digestive Disorders Center at Griffin is committed to ensuring a safe environment for our patients, visitors, and staff. As part of our hospital-wide culture of safety, our goal is to provide patient-centered, safe, equitable, timely, effective, and efficient care. We encourage our patients (and their family members) to ask questions about their treatment and to be actively involved in their care and safety.

Exceptional Nurses

In 2008, the Digestive Disorders Center nurses were named “New England’s Best Nursing Team” by ADVANCE for Nurses, the biweekly magazine of the nursing profession. The staff is very involved in promoting colon cancer screenings and cancer prevention through community outreach, which was a factor in the staff also being recognized as Griffin Hospital’s Department of the Year in 2007.

Tops in Patient Satisfaction

The Digestive Disorders Center has consistently ranked very high in patient satisfaction. In the past three years, roughly 97% of The Center’s patients said they were very satisfied with their treatment.