OAK BROOK, Ill. – June 14, 2010 – The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 48 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, 215 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.
"ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 48 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 the "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit" course held in Oak Brook, Ill., in December 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
Beverly Hospital Endoscopy Department, Beverly, MA
Bulloch County Endoscopy Center, LLC, Statesboro, GA
Butler Ambulatory Surgery Center, Butler, PA
Chang Ho Suk, MD, Flushing, NY
Charlottesville Gastroenterology, Charlottesville, VA
Davis Memorial Endoscopy Center, Elkins, WV
Digestive Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Digestive Health Specialists, PA Thomasville, Thomasville, NC
Drexel Centers for Digestive Health, Philadelphia, PA
Endoscopy Center of Bucks County, Newtown, PA
Endoscopy Center of Long Island, Garden City, NY
Gastro One, G.I. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center, L.L.C., Germantown, TN
GastroIntestinal Associates, Wausau, WI
GI Associates & Endoscopy Center, Jackson, MS
Great Neck Gastro, PLLC, Manhasset, NY
Gulf Breeze Endoscopy Center, Gulf Breeze, FL
Hershey Endoscopy Center, Hershey, PA
Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, CA
Jacksonville Center for Endoscopy, Jacksonville, FL
Joel A. Baum, MD, Forest Hills, NY
Memorial Mission Surgery Center, Chattanooga, TN
MGAGI Diagnostic & Therapeutic Center, Marrero, LA
Midlands Endoscopy Center, LLC, Irmo, SC
Myron D. Goldberg, New York, NY
Northern GI Endoscopy, Glens Falls, NY
Norwalk Hospital GI Lab, Norwalk, CT
Ocean Surgical Pavilion, Oakhurst, NJ
ProHealth Care Associates, New Hyde Park, NY
Rhawn Street Endoscopy Center, Philadelphia, PA
Riverside Endoscopy Center, Steubenville, OH
Riverwalk Endoscopy and Surgery Center, LLC, Fort Myers, FL
Rochester Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Rochester Hills, MI
Space Coast Endoscopy Center, Rockledge, FL
St. Francis Center for Digestive Disorders, Columbus, GA
Summit Surgicare, Oak Brook Terrace, IL
Susquehanna GI Associates, Montoursville, PA
The Endoscopy Center, Savannah, GA
The Endoscopy Center of Pensacola, Pensacola, FL
Thomas Jefferson University Digestive Disease Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Twin Forks Gastroenterology & Hepatology, PC, Hampton Bays, NY
UMDNJ-University Hospital, Newark, NJ
University of Michigan Hospital, East Ann Arbor Medical Procedures Center, Ann Arbor, MI
USF Health Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Tampa, FL
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Endoscopy Unit, Ann Arbor, MI
West Chester G.I. Associates, PC, West Chester, PA
West Jefferson Medical Center Endoscopy Unit, Marrero, LA
Wilson Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center, Wilson, NC
Yakima Gastroenterology Associates, Yakima, WA
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 2010. 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
December 4, 2010
Palace Hotel
San Francisco, CA
For more details on registering for this course, contact ASGE at 630-573-0600 or go to www.asge.org
About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with more than 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 and to find a qualified doctor in your area.
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.