Risk management in endoscopic practice

As illustrated, the practice of gastrointestinal endoscopy is not without risks. All physicians who perform endoscopy should be mindful of the tenets of risk management and how they apply to their endoscopic practices. Retrospective review of individual endoscopic practice habits should be performed yearly and modifications made where necessary. Hospital quality assurance committees should have gastrointestinal endoscopist representation. These committees should have as a component of their responsibilities a commitment to physician education.