Training for colonoscopy

Colonoscopy at a Combined District General Hospital and Specialist Endoscopy Unit: Lessons from 505 Consecutive Examinations

Provisional reports from the Intercollegiate British Society of Gastroenterology National Colonoscopy audit show completion rates of 57–77%for the procedure and poor levels of training and supervision. We prospectively audited all aspects of colonoscopy performed at a combined district general hospital and specialist endoscopy unit. Details of referral, examination, endoscopist, complications and follow-up were recorded and patients were sent questionnaires for long-term follow-up.

505 patients (246 male) underwent colonoscopy by 27 different endoscopists. Their median age was 57 years (range 13–92) and 93%were outpatients. 64% patients were symptomatic and 36%were having surveillance or follow-up colonoscopy. The overall caecal intubation rate was 93%, with little difference between surgeons, physicians and experienced trainees (89%, 92%, 94%) and specialist endoscopists (98%). In only one case was an inexperienced trainee (<100 procedures) unsupervised. Pain scores estimated by the endoscopist were well matched with those given by the patient—medians 29 and 26 (maximum 100) respectively. Median satisfaction score was 96 (maximum 100). Polyp pick-up rate was 26.9%and there were 11 new cancers. 16 (3%) minor immediate complications were recorded—5 oversedation, 6 vasovagal attacks, 3 polypectomy haemorrhages and 2 mucosal injuries (neither requiring treatment). 3 patients died within 6 months of follow-up but no death was colonoscopy related.

Completion rates in this setting were adequate for all endoscopists studied. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high and very few immediate or long-term complications were encountered.

Quality assurance in gastrointestinal endoscopy: An Egyptian experience

Over the last four decades, gastrointestinal endoscopy has become of paramount importance to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of the digestive tract. Practice variation, however, is likely to have an important effect on the effectiveness of endoscopy and can impair the delivery of high-quality endoscopic procedures. There have been increasing demands to assess the quality of service and track and improve patient outcomes. Quality assurance has paved its way into professional guidelines for physicians. Developing a modern endoscopy unit demands the institution of a quality assurance programme, continuous training and monitoring of service delivery. This article describes our experience in implementing a quality assurance programme in endoscopy in a secondary care government hospital in Egypt. The implementation of quality assurance and improvement programme can lead to dramatic improvements in the quality of endoscopic care and patient outcomes. Quality assurance and continual improvement can be applied in developing countries.

The characteristics of an excellent endoscopy trainer

A description of the characteristics of an excellent endoscopy trainer is provided. These characteristics are presented in an accessible format for endoscopy trainers to use to develop their endoscopy teaching. Excellent endoscopy teaching is a fundamental part of providing a high quality, motivated endoscopy workforce.

Evaluating changes in gastrointestinal endoscopy training over 5 years: closing the audit loop

BACKGROUND

An audit in 2002 showed that colonoscopy training in a large London training region was poorly structured, with the quality of supervision below recommendations and high reported complication rates. In 2004, the UK National Endoscopy Training Programme introduced centrally funded, accredited courses and new assessment tools to standardize training and raise the quality of colonoscopy by improving the skills of practicing endoscopists.

AIM

To evaluate the changes in the standard of colonoscopy training over the last 5 years.

METHODS

Questionnaires used in the earlier study were updated and e-mailed to all gastroenterology trainees in the region and those who participated in the earlier study. Trainees completed and returned the forms electronically.

RESULTS

Twenty-six out of 37 gastroenterology trainees responded (70.3%). Significantly more trainees said that they had been formally taught the principles of colonoscopy (91 vs. 65%; P = 0.02), polypectomy (81 vs. 52%; P = 0.02) and extubation (88 vs. 56%; P = 0.01) than in 2002, and reported that complication rates were lower. Trainers displayed more appropriate teaching strategies and course attendance had significantly increased (84 vs. 48%, P = 0.003). Eighty-seven percent of the trainees thought that their training had been adequate or better than adequate, compared with 25% in 2002.

CONCLUSION

In the 2007 survey, trainees reported a significant improvement both in colonoscopy training at base hospitals and in access to specialist courses compared with those in the 2002 survey. The centrally funded training programme has made a significantly positive impact in this large training region that is likely to be reflected elsewhere in England. The loss of such investment may have a detrimental effect on future colonoscopy training and the quality of service provision.

Colonoscopic perforation: A report from World Gastroenterology Organization endoscopy training center in Thailand

AIM: To determine the incidence of colonoscopic perforation (CP), and evaluate clinical findings, management and outcomes of patients with CP from the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) Endoscopy Training Center in Thailand.

METHODS: All colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies performed between 1999 and 2007 in the Endoscopic unit, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok were reviewed. Incidence of CP, patients’ characteristics, endoscopic information, intra-operative findings, management and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 17 357 endoscopic procedures of the colon (13 699 colonoscopies and 3658 flexible sigmoidoscopies) were performed in Siriraj hospital over a 9-year period. Fifteen patients (0.09%) had CP: 14 from colonoscopy and 1 from sigmoidoscopy. The most common site of perforation was in the sigmoid colon (80%), followed by the transverse colon (13%). Perforations were caused by direct trauma from either the shaft or the tip of the endoscope (n = 12, 80%) and endoscopic polypectomy (n = 3, 20%). All patients with CP underwent surgical management: primary repair (27%) and bowel resection (73%). The mortality rate was 13% and postoperative complication rate was 53%.

CONCLUSION: CP is a rare but serious complication following colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Incidence of CP was 0.09%. Surgery is still the mainstay of CP management.

Quality improvement programme to achieve acceptable colonoscopy completion rates: prospective before and after study

PROBLEM

A large audit of colonoscopy in the United Kingdom showed that the unadjusted completion rate was 57% when stringent criteria for identifying the caecum were applied. The caecum should be reached 90% of the time. Little information is available on what units or operators need to do to improve to acceptable levels.

DESIGN

Quality improvement programme using two completed cycles of audit.

SETTING

Endoscopy department in a university linked general hospital in northeast England.

KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT

Colonoscopy completion rate.

STRATEGY FOR CHANGE

Two audit cycles were completed between 1999 and 2002. Changes to practice were based on results of audit and took into account the opinions of relevant staff. Lack of time for each colonoscopy, poor bowel preparation, especially in frail patients, and a mismatch between number of colonoscopies done and completion rate for individual operators were responsible for failed colonoscopies. Appropriate changes were made.

EFFECTS OF CHANGE

The initial crude colonoscopy completion rate was 60%, improving to 71% after the first round of audit and 88% after the second round, which approximates to the agreed audit standard of 90%. The final adjusted completion rate was 94%.

LESSONS LEARNT

Achievement of the national targets in a UK general hospital is possible by lengthening appointments, admitting frail patients for bowel preparation to one ward, and allocating colonoscopies to the most successful operators.

Colonoscopy at a combined district general hospital and specialist endoscopy unit: lessons from 505 consecutive examinations

Provisional reports from the Intercollegiate British Society of Gastroenterology National Colonoscopy audit show completion rates of 57-77% for the procedure and poor levels of training and supervision. We prospectively audited all aspects of colonoscopy performed at a combined district general hospital and specialist endoscopy unit. Details of referral, examination, endoscopist, complications and follow-up were recorded and patients were sent questionnaires for long-term follow-up. 505 patients (246 male) underwent colonoscopy by 27 different endoscopists. Their median age was 57 years (range 13-92) and 93% were outpatients. 64% patients were symptomatic and 36% were having surveillance or follow-up colonoscopy. The overall caecal intubation rate was 93%, with little difference between surgeons, physicians and experienced trainees (89%, 92%, 94%) and specialist endoscopists (98%). In only one case was an inexperienced trainee (<100 procedures) unsupervised. Pain scores estimated by the endoscopist were well matched with those given by the patient-medians 29 and 26 (maximum 100) respectively. Median satisfaction score was 96 (maximum 100). Polyp pick-up rate was 26.9% and there were 11 new cancers. 16 (3%) minor immediate complications were recorded-5 oversedation, 6 vasovagal attacks, 3 polypectomy haemorrhages and 2 mucosal injuries (neither requiring treatment). 3 patients died within 6 months of follow-up but no death was colonoscopy related. Completion rates in this setting were adequate for all endoscopists studied. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high and very few immediate or long-term complications were encountered.