One of the most common procedures in gastroenterology – esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) – needs to consistently meet quality measures, but data on interventions to improve them is lacking, according to a recent review.
Researchers, led by Fateh Bazerbachi, MD, with CentraCare, Interventional Endoscopy Program, at St. Cloud (Minn.) Hospital performed a systematic review of the literature to identify which interventions and measures have improved the performance of EGD quality indicators previously identified by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. They also looked for demonstrations of improving compliance with the prioritized indicators. The review appeared in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
The authors pointed out that more than 6.1 million EGDs are performed every year in the United States. Although gastroenterologists perform most of them, other providers also perform them, including primary care physicians, surgeons, and sometimes advanced practice providers. Therefore, establishing well-defined quality measures is critical for consistent outcomes.
Dr. Daniel C. Buckles
Daniel C. Buckles, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology, hepatology & motility at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, who was not part of the review, said high-quality EGDs are critical for many reasons, including avoiding overuse when results of the procedure are not likely to change a patient’s treatment but add risk to the patient and increase costs to the health care system.
“Lack of training to recognize important GI pathology seen on an EGD and lack of standardized reporting of GI abnormalities using validated classification systems can lead to suboptimal treatment and follow-up for patients,” he noted.
Testing provider adherence to guidelines years after publication helps providers understand what works and can improve outcomes, Dr. Buckles said.