1 /5 Rk L: This review is written with the understanding that my request to see the doctor at Advanced Gastroenterology, Inc occurred during the 2023 holiday season and that staffing was at a minimum. Nevertheless, the lack of response from this facility when I clearly noted this was an urgent situation is unacceptable, especially for a facility touting its expertise in interventional gastroenterology.
On December 22, 2023, I was seen at the Los Robles ER for a continuous painful abdomen. After CT and ultrasound scans, the ER found my liver enzymes were out of range, I had a distended common bile duct as well as an undefined pancreatic cyst. The ER urgently recommended I see a GI specialist for follow-up.
I contacted AGI on December 26 and sent them my ER records as they requested. I was informed the doctor would review them and that AGI would then get in touch to let me know if they could take me as a new patient.
On December 27, still hearing nothing from AGI even though I had noted the urgent nature of my contact, I could not wait any longer and made contact with Cedars-Sinai Hospital where I knew the staff would be attentive, professional and concerned about providing the best care possible. After a few phone calls within about 2 hrs, including the exchange of the noted ER records, I was scheduled the next morning for an EUS/ERCP. During this procedure, the findings of the ER were confirmed, the medical team performed a sphincterotomy and cleared the CBD, and made a referral for a potential future cholecystectomy.
Three weeks later (Jan. 14) I still have heard nothing from AGI. Apparently “interventional gastroenterology” means when they “get around to it” rather than recognizing the urgency often surrounding that term and how a delay affects the patients health and well-being.
Given my experience, I can not recommend this facility.