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Review
. 2013 Sep;42(3):599-618.
doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2013.05.005.

Colonoscopy quality: metrics and implementation

Affiliations
Review

Colonoscopy quality: metrics and implementation

Audrey H Calderwood et al. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2013 Sep.

Abstract

Colonoscopy is an excellent area for quality improvement because it is high volume, has significant associated risk and expense, and there is evidence that variability in its performance affects outcomes. The best end point for validation of quality metrics in colonoscopy is colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, but a more readily accessible metric is the adenoma detection rate. Fourteen quality metrics were proposed in 2006, and these are described in this article. Implementation of quality improvement initiatives involves rapid assessments and changes on an iterative basis, and can be done at the individual, group, or facility level.

Keywords: Colonoscopy; Metrics; Quality; Quality improvement.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial or other conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A sample report on the adenoma detection rate for an individual site generated within the GI Quality Improvement Consortium, Ltd Registry (GIQuIC). The metric for the individual site is compared to all sites within GIQuIC and national benchmarks are indicated. Used with permission from The GI Quality Improvement Consortium, Ltd, 2013.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A sample report on appropriate endoscopic examination intervals for an individual site generated within the AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry (AGA Registry). Used with permission from the American Gastroenterology Association, 2013.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic of the Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle, a simple and powerful scientific method for quality improvement whereby a team plans a test or observation, carries it out on a small scale, studies the results, and refines the change.

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MeSH terms