ADVERTISEMENT

Quality Improvement for the Ambulatory Surgery Center

Author and Disclosure Information

Summary

All gastroenterologists should be familiar with the quality improvement process. Participation in formal quality improvement efforts is now required for accreditation, board certification, and, in some cases, payer reimbursement. Endoscopy facilities should embrace their role as the data resource and oversight body for unit-wide and most endoscopist-specific quality initiatives. This necessitates investments in infrastructure and personnel. Ultimately, such efforts benefit both our patients and our professional endeavors.

References

1. Kheraj, R., Tewani, S.K., Ketwaroo, G., et al. Quality improvement in gastroenterology clinical practice. Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2012;10:1305-14.

2. Faigel, D.O., Pike, I.M., and the ASGE/ACG Taskforce on Quality in Endoscopy. Quality indicators for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: an introduction. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2006;63:S3-S9.

3. Cohen, J., Safdi, M.A., Deal, S.E., and the ASGE/ACG Taskforce on Quality in Endoscopy. Quality indicators for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006;63:S10-S15.

4. Rex, D.K., Petrini, J.L., Baron, T.H., and the ASGE/ACG Taskforce on Quality in Endoscopy. Quality indicators for colonoscopy. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2006;63:S16-S28.

5. Baron, T.H., Petersen, B.T., Mergener, K.,and the ASGE/ACG Taskforce on Quality in Endoscopy. Quality indicators for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2006;63:S29-S34.

6. Jacobson, B.C., Chak, A., Hoffman, B., and the ASGE/ACG Taskforce on Quality in Endoscopy. Quality indicators for endoscopic ultrasonography. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2006;63:S35-S38.

7. Petersen, B.T. Quality in the ambulatory endoscopy center. Tech. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2011;13:224-8.

Petersen, B.T. Quality assurance for endoscopists. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Gastroenterol. 2011;25:349-61.

8. Global Rating Scale. Available at: https://www.globalratingscale.com. Accessed January 1, 2014.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Measures Codes. Available at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/PQRS/MeasuresCodes.html. Accessed March 31, 2014.

9. QualityNet. Overview: Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program. Available at: https://www.qualitynet.org. Accessed March 31, 2014.

10. Cotton, P.B., Eisen, G.M., Aabakken, L. et al. A lexicon for endoscopic adverse events: report of an ASGE Workshop. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2010;71:446-54.

11. ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program. Available at: https://www.asge.org/clinicalpractice/clinical-practice.aspx?id=13576. Accessed March 31, 2014.

Dr. Petersen is professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. He has no conflicts of interest.

ginews@gastro.org