Patient comfort scores do not affect endoscopist behavior during colonoscopy, while trainee involvement has negative effects on patient comfort

Effect of Body Mass Index on Cecal Intubation Time During Unsedated Colonoscopy: Variation Across the Learning Stages of an Endoscopist

BACKGROUND Body mass index (BMI) and endoscopists' experiences can be associated with cecal intubation time (CIT), but such associations are controversial. This study aimed to clarify the association between BMI and CIT during unsedated colonoscopy at 3 learning stages of a single endoscopist. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1500 consecutive patients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy by 1 endoscopist at our department from December 11, 2020, to August 21, 2022, were reviewed. They were divided into 3 learning stages according to the number of colonoscopies performed by 1 endoscopist, including intermediate (501-1000 colonoscopies), experienced (1001-1500 colonoscopies), and senior stages (1501-2000 colonoscopies). Variables that significantly correlated with CIT were identified by Spearman rank correlation analyses and then included in multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 1233 patients were included. Among them, 392, 420, and 421 patients were divided into intermediate, experienced, and senior stages, respectively. Median CIT was 7.83, 6.38, and 5.58 min at intermediate, experienced, and senior stages, respectively (P.

Risk factors for underestimation of patient pain in outpatient colonoscopy

BACKGROUND

Adequate management of patient pain and discomfort during colonoscopy is crucial to obtaining a high-quality examination. We aimed to investigate the ability of endoscopists and endoscopy assistants to accurately assess patient pain in colonoscopy.

METHODS

This was a single-center, cross-sectional study including patients scheduled for an outpatient colonoscopy. Procedure-related pain, as experienced by the patient, was scored on a verbal rating scale (VRS). Endoscopists and endoscopy assistants rated patient pain likewise. Cohen's kappa was used to measure the agreement between ratings and logistic regression applied to test for potential predictors associated with underestimation of moderate-severe pain.

RESULTS

In total, 785 patients [median age: 54 years; females: n = 413] were included. Mild, moderate, and severe pain was reported in 378/785 (48%), 168/785 (22%), and 111/785 (14%) procedures respectively. Inter-rater reliability of patient pain comparing patients with endoscopists was κ = 0.29, p < .001 and for patients with endoscopy assistants κ = 0.37, p < .001. In the 279 patients reporting moderate/severe pain, multivariable analysis showed that male gender (OR = 1.79), normal BMI (OR = 1.71), no history of abdominal surgery (OR = 1.81), and index-colonoscopy (OR = 1.81) were factors significantly associated with a risk for underestimation of moderate/severe pain by endoscopists. Young age (OR = 2.05) was the only corresponding factor valid for endoscopy assistants.

CONCLUSIONS

In a colonoscopy, estimation of patient pain by endoscopists and endoscopy assistants is often inaccurate. Endoscopists need to pay specific attention to subgroups of patients, such as male gender, and normal BMI, among whom there seems to be an important risk of underestimation of moderate-severe pain.

Endorobots for Colonoscopy: Design Challenges and Available Technologies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide, after lung cancer (Sung et al., 2021). Early stage detection is key to increase the survival rate. Colonoscopy remains to be the gold standard procedure due to its dual capability to optically inspect the entire colonic mucosa and to perform interventional procedures at the same time. However, this causes pain and discomfort, whereby it requires sedation or anaesthesia of the patient. It is a difficult procedure to perform that can cause damage to the colonic wall in some cases. Development of new technologies aims to overcome the current limitations on colonoscopy by using advancements in endorobotics research. The design of these advanced medical devices is challenging because of the limited space of the lumen, the contorted shape, and the long tract of the large bowel. The force applied to the colonic wall needs to be controlled to avoid collateral effects such as injuries to the colonic mucosa and pain during the procedure. This article discusses the current challenges in the colonoscopy procedure, the available locomotion technologies for endorobots used in colonoscopy at a prototype level and the commercial products available.

Standard reporting elements for the performance of EUS: Recommendations from the FOCUS working group

Background and Objectives

Quality indicators for the performance of EUS have been developed to monitor and improve service value and patient outcomes. To support the incorporation of these indicators and standardize EUS documentation, we propose standard EUS reporting elements for endosonographers and endoscopy units.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search and review was performed to identify EUS quality indicators and key components of high-quality standardized EUS reporting. Guidance statements regarding standard EUS reporting elements were developed and reviewed at the Forum for Canadian Endoscopic Ultrasound (FOCUS) 2019 Annual Meeting.

Results

EUS reporting elements can be divided into preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural items. Preprocedural components include the type, indication, and urgency of the procedure and patient clinical information and consent. Intraprocedural components include the adequacy and extent of examination, relevant landmarks, lesion characteristics, sampling method, specimen quality, and intraprocedural adverse events. Postprocedural components include a summary and synthesis of relevant findings as well as recommended management and follow-up.

Conclusions

Standardizing reporting elements may help improve the care of patients undergoing EUS procedures. Our review provides a practical guide and compilation of recommended reporting elements to ensure ongoing best practices and quality improvement in EUS.

Predictors of Failed Conscious Sedation in Patients Undergoing an Outpatient Colonoscopy and Implications for the Adenoma Detection Rate

Guidelines to triage patients to conscious sedation (CS) or monitored anaesthesia care (MAC) for colonoscopy do not exist. We aimed to identify the CS failure rate, predictors of failure, and its impact on the adenoma detection rate (ADR). Strict (based on patient experience) and expanded (based on doses of sedative medications) definitions of CS failure were used. Patient and procedure-related variables were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors for CS failure and the ADR. Among 766 patients, 29 (3.8%) and 175 (22.8%) patients failed CS by strict and expanded definitions, respectively. Female gender (OR 3.50; 95% CI: 1.37–8.94) and fellow involvement (OR 4.15; 95% CI: 1.79–9.58) were associated with failed CS by the strict definition. Younger age (OR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49), outpatient opiate use (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.03–2.84), use of an adjunct medication (OR 3.34; 95% CI: 1.94–5.73), and fellow involvement (OR 2.20; 95% CI: 1.31–3.71) were associated with failed CS by the expanded definition. Patients meeting strict failure criteria had a lower ADR (OR 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.77). Several clinical factors may be useful for triaging to MAC. The ADR is lower in patients meeting strict criteria for failed CS.

Colorectal Surgery Resident Participation in Screening Colonoscopies: How Does It Impact Quality?

BACKGROUND

Performing colonoscopies is an integral component of colorectal surgery residency training. There exists a paucity of literature regarding colonoscopy quality metrics with colorectal trainee involvement.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of colorectal surgery resident participation on quality metrics in screening colonoscopy.

DESIGN

Screening colonoscopies performed between August 1, 2016, and July 31, 2018, were queried from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Data were cross-checked with resident case logs to verify colonoscopies with resident participation.

SETTING

This study was conducted by the colorectal surgery department at a tertiary level hospital in the United States.

PATIENTS

Consecutive, asymptomatic patients aged ≥45 years, undergoing screening colonoscopy, were selected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The quality parameters measured included overall, male, and female adenoma detection rates; total examination time; withdrawal time; cecal intubation rate; quality of bowel preparation; complications; and medication dosage.

RESULTS

A total of 4594 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 60.5 ± 8.4 years (range, 45-91); 51.7% were women. Overall, 4186 of the colonoscopies were performed without resident participation, and 408 were performed with resident participation. Scope insertion, withdrawal, and total examination times were longer in the resident group. Cecal intubation rate, polypectomy rate, sex-specific and overall adenoma detection rates, and complication rates were similar between the groups. In the multivariate model, trainee involvement had no significant impact on adenoma detection rate. In addition, the trainee group utilized a higher mean dose of fentanyl.

LIMITATIONS

The retrospective nature of the data with possible coding errors of the database and the inability to quantify the amount of resident participation and to clarify the degree of attending surgeon assistance and oversight were limitations of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal surgery resident participation in screening colonoscopy takes longer and appears safe, while achieving all national quality metrics without compromising adenoma detection rates. Changes in colonoscopy scheduling in regard to length of time may prove beneficial when there is resident participation. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B43. PARTICIPACIÓN DE LOS RESIDENTES DE CIRUGÍA COLORRECTAL EN COLONOSCOPIAS DE CRIBADO: ¿CÓMO AFECTA LA CALIDAD?: La realización de colonoscopias es un componente integral del entrenamiento de residencia en cirugía colorrectal. Existe una escasez de literatura con respecto a las medidas de calidad de la colonoscopia con la participación de los aprendices colorrectales.Investigar el efecto de la participación de residentes de cirugía colorrectal en las medidas de calidad en la colonoscopia de cribado.Las colonoscopias de cribado realizadas entre el 1 de agosto de 2016 y el 31 de julio de 2018 se consultaron desde una base de datos institucional mantenida prospectivamente. Los datos se cotejaron con registros de casos de residentes para verificar las colonoscopias con participación de residentes.Departamento de cirugía colorrectal en un hospital de tercer nivel de los Estados Unidos.Pacientes consecutivos, asintomáticos, edad ≥45 años, sometidos a colonoscopia de detección.Parámetros de calidad que incluyen tasas generales de detección de adenoma en hombres y mujeres, tiempo total de examen, tiempo de retiro, tasa de intubación cecal, calidad de la preparación intestinal, complicaciones y dosis de medicamentos.Se incluyeron un total de 4.594 pacientes en el estudio con una edad media de 60,5 ± 8,4 años (rango, 45-91) y 51,7% mujeres. En total 4,186 de las colonoscopias se realizaron sin participación de los residentes y 408 se realizaron con la participación de los residentes. Los tiempos de inserción, retiro y examen total del alcance fueron más largos en el grupo residentes. La tasa de intubación cecal, la tasa de polipectomía, las tasas de detección de adenoma específicos de género y generales, y las tasas de complicaciones fueron similares entre los grupos. En el modelo multivariado, la participación de los aprendices no tuvo un impacto significativo en la tasa de detección de adenoma. Además, el grupo de aprendices utilizó una dosis media más alta de fentanilo.Carácter retrospectivo de los datos con posibles errores de codificación de la base de datos. Incapacidad para cuantificar la cantidad de participación de los residentes y para aclarar el grado de asistencia y supervisión del cirujano.La participación de los residentes de cirugía colorrectal en la colonoscopia de cribado lleva más tiempo y parece segura, mientras se logran todas las medidas de calidad nacionales sin comprometer las tasas de detección de adenoma. Los cambios en la programación de la colonoscopia con respecto al período de tiempo pueden ser beneficiosos cuando hay participación de residentes. Vea el resumen del video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B43.

Interobserver variability in comfort scores for screening colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the agreement in comfort scores between patients, endoscopist and specialist screening practitioner (SSP) for colonoscopy, and which factors influence comfort.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Single-centre UK Bowel Cancer Screening Program colonoscopy service from April 2017 to March 2018.

PATIENTS

498 patients undergoing bowel cancer screening colonoscopy, with median age of 68 (IQR 64-71). 320 (64.3%) were men.

INTERVENTION

All patients underwent screening colonoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Comfort scores on a validated 1 (best) to 5 (worst) ordinal scale were assigned for each colonoscopy by the patient, endoscopist and SSP. Inter-rater agreement of discomfort scores between endoscopist, patient and SSP was investigated using Cohen's Kappa statistic. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was used to investigate the effects of patient and colonoscopy factors on comfort scores.

RESULTS

SSPs had superior comfort score agreement with patients (0.638; 'moderate agreement') than endoscopists had with the same patients (0.526; 'weak agreement'). Male patients reported lower scores than female patients (OR 0.483, OR 0.499 [95% CI 0.344 to 0.723]; p<0.001). Endoscopists reported lower scores when there was better bowel prep (OR 0.512 [95% CI 0.279 to 0.938]; p=0.030). Agreement was worse at higher levels of discomfort.

CONCLUSION

There is variability in perceived comfort levels between healthcare providers and patients during screening colonoscopy, which is greater at worse levels of discomfort. Endoscopists who undertake screening colonoscopies may wish to consider both patient and healthcare provider comfort scores in order to improve patient experience while ensuring optimal quality assurance.

Training in Endoscopy

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Progress towards the goal of high-quality endoscopy across health economies has been founded on high-quality structured training programmes linked to credentialing practice and ongoing performance monitoring. This review appraises the recent literature on training interventions, which may benefit performance and competency acquisition in novice endoscopy trainees.

RECENT FINDINGS

Increasing data on the learning curves for different endoscopic procedures has highlighted variations in performance amongst trainees. These differences may be dependent on the trainee, trainer and training programme. Evidence of the benefit of knowledge-based training, simulation training, hands-on courses and clinical training is available to inform the planning of ideal training pathway elements. The validation of performance assessment measures and global competency tools now also provides evidence on the effectiveness of training programmes to influence the learning curve. The impact of technological advances and intelligent metrics from national databases is also predicted to drive improvements and efficiencies in training programme design and monitoring of post-training outcomes. Training in endoscopy may be augmented through a series of pre-training and in-training interventions. In conjunction with performance metrics, these evidence-based interventions could be implemented into training pathways to optimise and quality assure training in endoscopy.