News Release

ASGE recognizes 10 endoscopy units for quality as part of its Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program

Grant and Award Announcement

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

OAK BROOK, Ill. – September 2, 2009 – The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 10 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines. To date, 134 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.

"ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 10 endoscopy units, whose staff work hard every day to provide high-quality care to their patients in a safe environment," said Bret T. Petersen, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee. "There continues to be an outstanding response to this program. We are proud to acknowledge these ASGE members through our Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program for their commitment to promoting the highest standards of safety and quality."

An important component of the program is an educational course that thoroughly reviews related guidelines. Honorees attended either the "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit" course held in Oak Brook, Ill., in October 2008, or the course held in Las Vegas, Nev., in February 2009.

Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE "Certificate of Recognition" for promoting quality in endoscopy. This symbol can be displayed to let patients and referring physicians know that the endoscopy unit is dedicated to delivering high-quality endoscopic care and has received specialized training around these principles.

New ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program Honorees
Midwest Physician Surgery Center, Lees Summit, MO
Franklin Endoscopy Center, Franklin, TN
Lebanon Endoscopy Center, LLC, Lebanon, TN
Strand GI Endoscopy Center, Myrtle Beach, SC
Tacoma Digestive Disease Center/Tacoma Endoscopy Center, Tacoma, WA
Endoscopy Center Of Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, VA
Middlesex Endoscopy Center, Middletown, CT
Stanford Endoscopy Unit, Stanford, CA
Kettering Medical Center, Miamisburg, OH
Digestive Health Center, Wake Forest, Winston Salem, NC

###

About the Program

To successfully complete the program and receive a Certificate of Recognition, a center must show proof of successful and current accreditation by a recognized accrediting body (AAAHC, Joint Commission); sign an attestation affirming that certain ASGE and CDC guidelines are adopted as minimum requirements of the unit policy; have a representative of the unit complete the ASGE Recognition Course, "Improving Quality and Safety In Your Endoscopy Unit;" and submit the application fee(s). The Certificate of Recognition award is granted for a three-year renewable period.

The program is applicable to all settings in the United States where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units, and stand-alone ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers.

As a benefit of successfully completing the program, endoscopy units will receive the ASGE Certificate of Recognition for Promoting Quality in Endoscopy, patient brochures - Ensuring the Safety of Your Endoscopic Procedure, access to advice from reprocessing experts and more. For a list of the full benefits, log on to www.asge.org.

ASGE and Quality

ASGE is the profession's leader in setting standards of excellence in endoscopy through its safety guidelines and the training of its members so that patients receive the best and safest care possible. The Society constantly reinforces the importance of quality among its members through member communications, such as emails and newsletters, and its CME courses, including "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit."

The program course is being repeated in 2009. To register, as well as for a list of full requirements and benefits of the Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program, log on to www.asge.org.

COURSE DETAILS:

Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit

October 17, 2009
ASGE Institute for Training & Technology
Oak Brook, IL
December 16, 2009 (In conjunction with the NYSGE meeting)
New York Marriott Marquis
New York, NY

For more details on registering for these courses, contact ASGE at 630-573-0600 or go to www.asge.org

ASGE Institute for Training & Technology (IT & T)

The IT&T Center is a fully operational ex-vivo endoscopy lab, equipped with endoscopic workstations and capsule endoscopy workstations. Using the latest medical equipment and technologically advanced endoscopes, cameras, video imaging and computers, the Center faculty engages the participant in a hands-on educational format.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Founded in 1941, the mission of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is to be the leader in advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with nearly 11,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information.

About Endoscopy

Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.