OAK BROOK, Ill. -- The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 27 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, endoscope reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines. To date, more than 400 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.
"ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 27 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, chair, 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 this course, entitled "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit."
Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE "Certificate of Recognition" for promoting quality in endoscopy which is valid for three years, providing the unit remains accredited and complies with all program criteria. 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
Annie Penn Endoscopy Center, Reidsville, NC
Central Bucks Specialists, Ltd., Doylestown, PA
Clarkston Surgery Center, Clarkston, MI
Community Medical Center Endoscopy Lab, Missoula, MT
Doctor's Surgery Center at Huguley-Endoscopy Department, Burleson, TX
Doheny Endosurgical Center, Beverly Hills, CA
Endoscopy Suite St. Mary's Medical Center Evansville, IN, Evansville, IN
Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, OH
Gastroenterology Center of Virginia, Reston, VA
Hunterdon Endosurgery Center, Flemington, NJ
Lowell General Hospital Endoscopy Unit, Lowell, MA
Metro West Medical Center Farmingham Campus, Framingham, MA
Metro West Medical Center Natick Campus, Natick, MA
Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission, TX
Northside Park Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center PLLC, Elizabeth City, NC
Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Fountain Valley, CA
Riverside Williamsburg Gastroenterology, Williamsburg, VA
Scripps Health/SGH, LaJolla, CA
Southern Illinois GI Specialists, LLC, Carbondale, IL
Southwest Endoscopy Center, Durango, CO
Taylor Station Surgical Center, Columbus, OH
The Endoscopy Unit at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA
Three Rivers Endoscopy Center, Moon Township, PA
University of Wisconsin Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology- Madison Surgery Center, Madison, WI
University of Wisconsin Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology-UWHC Ambulatory Procedure Center, Madison, WI
Western Washington Medical Group, The Endoscopy Center, Everett, WA
Woodland Surgery Center, Woodland, CA
About the Program
To successfully complete the program and receive a Certificate of Recognition, a unit must show proof of successful and current accreditation by a recognized accrediting body with deeming status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); attest that certain ASGE and CDC guidelines are adopted as minimum requirements of the unit policy and that all pertinent staff members have completed competency assessments for endoscope reprocessing and training in sterile medication administration and infection prevention in the endoscopy unit within the prior year; demonstrate that unit policies have been developed and adopted for continuous or intermittent assessment of select quality measures through a quality policy assessment, 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 period and is renewable.
The program is applicable to all settings in the United States and Puerto Rico where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units, and stand-alone ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers.
Benefits of successfully completing the program include the ASGE Certificate of Recognition for Promoting Quality in Endoscopy, patient brochures - Ensuring the Safety of Your Endoscopic Procedure, public and professional recognition for the unit and more. For a list of the full benefits, log on to http://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 courses, including "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit."
The program course is being repeated in 2012 on March 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz., on July 14 in Dallas, Texas, and on September 13 in Washington D.C. To register, check the ASGE website at http://www.asge.org (or call 630-573-0600). A list of the full requirements and benefits of the Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program can also be found on the website.
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 nearly 12,000 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 http://www.asge.org and http://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.