STAY CURRENT ON CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION →
COVID-19 VACCINES AT GALEN →
If you believe you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and need to be tested please call our COVID-19 hotline at (423) 618-9006
Specialist in Gastroenterology
Carrie Durante is a board-certified Physician Assistant at Galen Digestive Health. Native to North Georgia, Carrie grew up in Flintstone, Georgia and graduated from Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, Georgia. She attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where she received her bachelor’s degree in science. Then, she obtained her Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.
She was inspired to pursue medicine because she wanted to help people feel better and improve their quality of life. Carrie enjoys that the gastroenterology specialty since it is constantly evolving and offering her the opportunity to learn something new. Carrie has been in practice for ten years and has an affiliation with AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) and NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants). Her favorite part about her job is getting the chance to meet new people and learn about them. Carrie believes that being a good listener is the best way to care for your patients. Her care philosophy involves giving her patients enough time to talk to her about the issues that concern them.
Carrie’s ideal day off would include relaxing and fishing at her parent’s lake house in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Her hobbies include fishing, hiking, camping, reading, and swimming with her husband, Craig. They have been married for 15 years and have a dog named Cameron. Her favorite thing about Chattanooga is that there is always something new to see or do. She has seen it grow in the past few years with many new businesses and restaurants.
10 Years
Carrie’s care philosophy is centered around being a good listener. She prioritizes taking time to listen to her patient’s concerns, and develops a care plan that addresses their needs.
M.S. | University of South Carolina
B.S. | Georgia Southern University
Organizations:
AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants)
NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants)
· The only motility test that provides a complete transit profile of the gastrointestinal tract
· Increased sensitivity compared to Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy (GES) and Radio Opaque Markers (ROM)1
· Ability to localize disease to specific regions of the GI tract in the presence of overlapping motility symptoms2
· Standardized motility testing process with benchmarked results1
The SmartPill™ motility testing system localizes abnormalities in specific areas of the GI tract in the presence of overlapping motility symptoms. This advanced system allows you to understand the root cause of your patients’ motility disorders and helps you develop appropriate therapy plans. With user-friendly SmartPill™ software, analyzing study results is simple and convenient. The SmartPill™ motility capsule detected a generalized motility disorder in 51% of patients and influenced management in 30% of patients with lower GI disorders and 88% of patients with upper GI disorders.· Reduces testing by replacing three tests3
· Whole gut motility profile eliminates the need for segmental transit studies3
· Can replace GES, ROM, and Whole Gut Scintigraphy3
· Can reduce the cost of separate procedures and associated facility fees by 50%
1. Kuo, et al. Comparison of gastric emptying of a nondigestible capsule to a radio-labelled meal in healthy and gastroparetic subjects. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008;27:186-196. 2. Rao, et al. Evaluation of gastrointestinal transit in clinical practice: Position paper of the American and European Neurogastroenterology and Motility Societies. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011;23(1):8-23. 3. Moshiree B. Case Presentation Illustrating Use of Wireless Motility Capsule. 2010 Joint International Neurogastroenterology and Motility Conference.What is a Gastrostomy feeding tube: A feeding tube is a device that’s inserted into your stomach through your abdomen. It’s used to supply nutrition when you have trouble eating. Feeding tube insertion is also called percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and G-tube insertion.
This treatment is reserved for when you have trouble eating on your own, due to reasons such as the following:
· You have an abnormality of your mouth or esophagus, which is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.
· You have difficulty swallowing or keeping food down.
· You aren’t getting enough nutrition or fluids by mouth.
Conditions that can cause you to have trouble eating include:
· burns
· cerebral palsy
· stroke
· motor neuron disease
· dementia
The treatment can also be done if you need it to receive certain medications.
Do I need to prepare for the procedure: . Before you begin, tell your physician about any medications you’re taking, including blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin (Bufferin), or clopidogrel (Plavix). You’ll need to stop taking blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications one week or so before the procedure.
Your doctor will also need to know if you’re pregnant or have certain conditions, such as:
· diabetes
· allergies
· heart conditions
· lung conditions
If you have diabetes, your oral medications or insulin may have to be adjusted the day of the procedure. Your doctor performs a gastrostomy using an endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a camera attached. You may be given anesthesia to make you more comfortable. This may make you drowsy following the procedure. Before the procedure, arrange to have someone drive you home.
This procedure requires you to fast. Typically, doctors ask that you abstain from eating eight hours before the procedure. Most people can return home the same day as the procedure or the following day.
How is the endoscope inserted: Before the procedure, you need to remove any jewelry or dentures. You’re then given an anesthetic and something to relieve pain. While you’re lying on your back, your doctor places the endoscope in your mouth and down your esophagus. The camera helps the doctor visualize your stomach lining to ensure that the feeding tube is positioned properly.
When your physician can see your stomach, they make a small incision in your abdomen. Next, they insert the feeding tube through the opening. They then secure the tube and place a sterile dressing around the site. There may be a little drainage of bodily fluids, such as blood or pus, from the wound. The whole procedure usually lasts less than an hour. The feeding tube can be temporary or permanent, depending on the primary reason for the feeding tube.
After the procedure: Plan on resting after the procedure. Your abdomen should heal in about five to seven days. After the tube is inserted, you may meet with a dietitian who will show you how to use the tube for feeding. Your dietitian will also educate you on how to care for the tube. Drainage around the tube is normal for a day or two, and a nurse will probably change your dressing on a regular basis. Feeling pain for a few days around the place where the incision was made is normal. Make sure to keep the area dry and clean to avoid skin irritation or infection.
Our experienced group of providers apply a modern approach and a caring touch to provide you with the highest quality health care in the Chattanooga region.