GI Unit Leadership: Optimizing Endoscopy Operations through Leadership (Virtual) | February 2025-ASGE quality measures

ASGE quality measures_delivery equitable endoscopic care

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The document is a white paper by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) outlining proposed quality measures to improve equitable delivery of endoscopic care in the U.S., particularly for underserved populations. It highlights significant disparities affecting these groups due to factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and geography, and emphasizes the need for quality improvement initiatives focusing on equitable care.<br /><br />The ASGE sets forth nine quality measures that focus on structural, process, and outcome criteria. These include ensuring all endoscopy units use up-to-date equipment, maintain structural modifications for patient comfort, and uphold consistent staffing standards regardless of patient demographics. The document prioritizes culturally competent care through diverse hiring, staff training in cultural sensitivity, and communication tailored to patient needs.<br /><br />It underscores the importance of developing reliable communication infrastructures to facilitate pre- and post-procedural engagement with underserved patients and establishes the need for financial support mechanisms to address out-of-pocket costs for patients with limited financial resources. Endoscopy units are encouraged to participate in pro bono programs to enhance accessibility for uninsured or underinsured patients.<br /><br />Furthermore, the paper calls for a systematic commitment from stakeholders to support programs that expand endoscopic care access, urging endoscopists and healthcare leaders to innovate and leverage resources to meet these goals. These efforts align with the broader vision of ensuring justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within medical practice.<br /><br />The final call is for comprehensive research initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed measures on health outcomes and patient satisfaction, ensuring these strategies produce meaningful improvements in care for traditionally underserved populations.

Keywords

ASGE

endoscopic care

quality measures

health disparities

equitable care

cultural competence

underserved populations

financial support

accessibility

healthcare equity