Improving Endoscopic Adherence to Quality Metrics in Colonoscopy

Background: Appropriate documentation of quality metrics in the endoscopy reports provides evidence that a thorough and complete examination was performed. The aim of our study was to assess compliance with 3 current quality metrics for colonoscopy defined by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Methods: We retrospectively examined colonoscopy reports from 6 gastroenterologists at Ochsner Medical Center for appropriate documentation of the quality of the bowel preparation and photodocumentation of the appendiceal orifice and the ileocecal valve. A performance review and educational session then took place with each physician. Subsequent colonoscopy reports were evaluated to monitor for improvement. Results: Bowel preparation documentation was high before and after the educational sessions (97.5% and 97.2%). Preeducation, the mean photodocumentation rate of the appendiceal orifice was 55% (range, 23%-84%). For the ileocecal valve, the documentation rate was 32.5% (range, 3%-73%). Posteducat...