Submitted by Providence Swedish
For many people, scheduling a colonoscopy or other outpatient procedure isn’t something they look forward to. But according to Marisa Noonan, nurse manager of Outpatient Surgery at Providence Centralia Hospital, these procedures play an important role in prevention, early detection and keeping patients healthy.
Just as important is making sure patients can receive that care close to home. “Anything that we can keep in our own community, so patients aren’t having to travel, is huge for me.”
At Centralia Hospital, the outpatient surgery team performs a variety of same-day procedures, with colonoscopies and upper endoscopies making up most of their work. The team also performs PEG tube placements and occasional procedures such as nerve blocks and skin lesion removals.
Most patients spend only a few hours at the hospital before returning home the same day. “Most of the time, they’re routine screening colonoscopies, but we also see patients who are having symptoms and need diagnostic testing,” shared Marisa.
The Importance of Screening
The need for preventive screening continues to grow as health guidelines recommend that adults begin routine colonoscopy screening at age 45. Patients are typically referred by their primary care provider to Providence General Surgery, where they complete a consultation before scheduling a procedure at Providence Centralia Hospital.
While at-home screening tests have become more common in recent years, Marisa emphasized that colonoscopy remains the most comprehensive option for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer. “At the end of the day, nothing is as thorough as a true colonoscopy.”
Unlike other screening methods, colonoscopies allow physicians to identify and remove precancerous polyps during the procedure itself. “If there are polyps, we can remove them right there,” Marisa said. “If there’s anything else concerning, we see it right away.” Even when patients use other screening tools such as at-home tests, abnormal results often lead to the need for a colonoscopy anyway.
“The actual procedure itself is the most thorough preventative step you can do.”
Supporting Patients Every Step of the Way
While the procedure itself may only take a short time, the experience starts before a patient enters the procedure room. Nurses meet with patients beforehand to review their health history, answer questions and help them understand what to expect before, during and after their procedure.
“We really try to make sure that all of their questions are answered and make sure that they understand the process,” Marisa said. The nursing team also focuses on patient education before sedation is administered, ensuring patients and their families understand post-procedure instructions and next steps.
Throughout the procedure, patients are supported by a care team that includes a surgeon, anesthesia provider, nurse and GI technician. Nurses remain involved from start to finish, often caring for the same patient before, during and after their procedure.
“It’s continuity of care,” Marisa explained. “That same nurse is going to be the nurse that discharges them.” Before patients leave, staff work to ensure any needed follow-up appointments are arranged, which reduces stress and confusion once they return home.
A Career Rooted in Centralia
Marisa’s commitment to local care comes from nearly two decades spent caring for patients in Centralia. Although she originally planned to enter nursing directly after high school, she briefly pursued another career path before returning to nursing after becoming a parent.
She earned her nursing credentials at Centralia College and joined Providence Centralia Hospital in 2008, starting in the Emergency Department before moving to recovery services and then outpatient surgery. She has spent more than a decade in outpatient surgery and stepped into a leadership role about two and a half years ago.
“I had no desire to go into leadership whatsoever. But my colleagues kind of encouraged it and supported it, and so I took a chance on it.” Today, she credits her team and the hospital’s collaborative culture for keeping her at Providence.
“Our team here is amazing,” she said. “We have a lot of longevity in our nurses and our staff that have been here. We all kind of just support each other.”
That sense of connection goes beyond her department. “I really appreciate that we can walk down the hallway and know the nurses from the other floor, know the managers from other units and have those relationships,” Marisa said.
Meeting Community Needs
For Marisa, one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is helping to expand healthcare services that allow patients to stay close to home. In Lewis County, a local procedure can save patients hours of travel, reduce logistical challenges and make medical care more accessible.
For patients who have postponed a recommended screening, the months ahead may be an ideal time to schedule care, particularly if they have already met their insurance deductible or have remaining FSA or HSA funds to use before the end of the year. And while an outpatient procedure like a colonoscopy may not be the most anticipated item on anyone’s calendar, the impact can be life-changing.
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