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Gastrointestinal endoscopy nurse experience and polyp detection during screening colonoscopy
Evan S Dellon1, Quinn K Lippmann, Robert S Sandler
1Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7080, USA. edellon@med.unc.edu
Summary
Gastrointestinal endoscopy nurses with less than six months of experience are less likely to detect polyps. This finding, particularly for hyperplastic polyps, highlights the importance of nurse experience in colonoscopy outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nursing
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- The impact of gastrointestinal endoscopy nursing experience on polyp detection rates remains unclear.
- Effective polyp detection is crucial for colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the experience level of endoscopy nurses and the likelihood of polyp detection during colonoscopies.
- To determine if nurse tenure influences the detection of various polyp types.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of screening colonoscopies conducted at University of North Carolina hospitals (August 2003-2005).
- Nurse experience was categorized as less than or equal to 6 months versus more than 6 months.
- Polyp detection (any type, multiple, adenomas, hyperplastic, advanced lesions) was the primary outcome, analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Overall polyp detection rate was 44% across 3631 colonoscopies.
- Nurses with over 6 months of experience had higher detection rates for any polyp (46.0% vs. 40.3%), multiple polyps, and hyperplastic polyps compared to less experienced nurses.
- No significant difference in adenoma or advanced lesion detection was observed based on nurse experience.
Conclusions:
- Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy nurse experience is linked to increased odds of missed polyp detection.
- The observed association appears to be largely driven by differences in hyperplastic polyp detection rates.
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