Gastrointestinal bleeding occurs when the lining of the digestive tract, the series of organs that help the body digest food, becomes damaged. In about 5% of cases, the cause of the bleeding cannot be determined with routine medical tests. This is known as obscure bleeding and it most often happens in the small intestine (small bowel). This organ has many complex folds, which can make it hard to find the location and cause of the problem.
Health Quality Ontario Reviews Capsule Endoscopy for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure sometimes used to diagnose obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. This technology allows doctors to examine the digestive tract by using a pill-sized camera. The patient swallows the camera (it is later excreted in the stool) and the camera transmits pictures as it passes through the digestive tract.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided the following response: This procedure is currently insured in Ontario.