Quality Matters

Image "quality" used with permission by J.C. (2012)

http://www.clker.com/clipart-quality.html

The quality of a colonoscopy exam is measured according to standards set by gastroenterology professional associations.

For instance, the following measures should be tracked:

• Effectiveness of the bowel preparation rated as excellent, good, fair, poor.

• Scope withdrawal time equal to or exceeding 6 minutes.

• Visualization of the cecum.

• Adenomatous polyp detection rate for male/female population, 25% (for men 30%, for women 20%).

• Biopsies performed for complaint of chronic diarrhea.

• The consistent referral for polypectomy of polyps less than 2 centimeters in size is deemed unacceptable and inappropriate.

Reference:

Rex, D. K., Schoenfield, P. S., Cohen, J., Pike, I. M., Adler, D. G., Fennerty, M. B., ... Weinberg, D. S. (2015). Quality indicators in colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 81, 31-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2014.07.058

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