GI Unit Leadership: Shaping a High-Performing Endoscopy Unit (Virtual)

04_Khan_Automation

Pdf Summary

This presentation by Dr. Naser M. Khan discusses leveraging automation technology in endoscopy units to transform procedural data into actionable clinical and operational insights, enhancing diagnosis, workflow, quality assurance, and patient care. Key areas of automation include clinical decision support, operational efficiency, quality monitoring, and data connectivity.<br /><br />Clinical automation, powered by AI, offers real-time support. Computer Aided Detection (CADe) systems like Medtronic GI Genius help identify lesions such as polyps with visual cues, improving adenoma detection rates by about 8%, especially smaller adenomas, though with a potential rise in removing non-neoplastic polyps and minimal change in procedure time. However, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in 2025 issued no clear recommendation for routine CADe use due to insufficient long-term cancer prevention evidence and concerns over increased costs and surveillance.<br /><br />Computer Aided Diagnosis (CADx) aims to differentiate benign from malignant polyps during endoscopy, potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies and healthcare costs; however, it currently faces accuracy and implementation challenges.<br /><br />Automation also streamlines administrative tasks such as patient scheduling, consent form generation, and report structuring through machine learning and robotic process automation, optimizing resources and reducing wait times. For quality assurance, automated systems monitor procedure metrics (e.g., adenoma detection rate, cecal intubation), provide trainee feedback, and identify adverse events through data analysis.<br /><br />GIQuIC, a specialized gastroenterology registry, aggregates procedure and quality data automatically from electronic health records and endoscopy documentation tools. It supports benchmarking, quality improvements, research, and fulfills reporting needs including CMS incentive programs. GIQuIC tracks metrics for colonoscopy, EGD, IBD management, and ERCP.<br /><br />Cloud-based platforms and integrated intelligent endoscopy ecosystems facilitate data storage, remote updates, and longitudinal patient tracking.<br /><br />In summary, automation in endoscopy is rapidly expanding, offering opportunities to enhance diagnostic accuracy, operational workflows, quality monitoring, and data-driven clinical improvements. Ongoing research and technological development are encouraged to optimize these advancements.

Keywords

automation in endoscopy

clinical decision support

computer aided detection (CADe)

adenoma detection rate

computer aided diagnosis (CADx)

workflow optimization

quality assurance in endoscopy

GIQuIC registry

machine learning in healthcare

cloud-based endoscopy platforms