Improving Endoscopic Adherence to Quality Metrics in Colonoscopy

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.

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.

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%). Posteducation, the mean appendiceal orifice labeling increased to an average of 91%, with a median change of 28.5% (P=0.0313). Documentation of the ileocecal valve improved to an average of 73%, a median change of 37.5% (P=0.0625).

Although reassessment of subsequent reports will be necessary to evaluate the permanence of this intervention, our evidence suggests that educational sessions can improve the quality and accuracy of documentation of quality metrics during colonoscopies.