GI Unit Leadership: Shaping a High-Performing Endoscopy Unit (Virtual) | February 2026-ASGE interventions to improve ADR

ASGE interventions to improve ADR

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This comprehensive review by the ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee evaluates interventions to improve adenoma detection rates (ADR) during colonoscopy—a key quality metric directly linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. Colonoscopy reduces CRC incidence and mortality significantly but has variable quality, with adenoma miss rates of 9%-26%. Improving ADR reduces interval CRC risk.<br /><br />The review categorizes interventions into four areas: techniques, technology, systemic/provider-level interventions, and education/feedback, summarizing evidence on their effectiveness in increasing ADR.<br /><br />Techniques: <br />- Water exchange colonoscopy (WE) increases ADR by up to 10 percentage points by improving mucosal cleanliness.<br />- Lengthened withdrawal time (8-9 minutes) combined with quality inspection increases ADR by up to 9 points.<br />- A second examination of the right colon (either a second forward view or retroflexion) increases ADR by up to 10 points and right-sided ADR by 5 points.<br />- Dynamic patient position changes during withdrawal increase ADR by up to 7 points, improving luminal distension.<br /><br />Technology: <br />- Distal attachment devices (e.g. Endocuff) increase ADR by 5%-11%.<br />- Enhanced imaging technologies (narrow-band imaging, chromoendoscopy, blue-laser imaging, linked-color imaging) improve ADR by 5%-18%, particularly newer NBI with high-definition scopes.<br />- Computer-aided detection (CADe) and AI-assisted colonoscopy increase ADR by 10%-15%, mainly through better detection of diminutive adenomas.<br /><br />Systemic/provider interventions:<br />- Split-dose bowel preparation (vs day-before) improves ADR by up to 26%, including advanced adenomas and sessile serrated lesions; same-day prep is comparable to split-dose.<br />- Having a second observer (e.g., nurse) examining the colon increases ADR by up to 19%.<br />- Video recording alone has not shown consistent improvement in ADR.<br /><br />Education and Feedback:<br />- Physician report cards improve ADR by 10%-19%, especially benefiting lower-performing endoscopists.<br />- Focused educational interventions enhance ADR by 20%-26%.<br />- Financial incentives currently show no clear effect on ADR.<br />- Public reporting of quality data may improve ADR by up to 25%, though evidence is limited.<br /><br />Conclusions stress aiming beyond minimum ADR benchmarks toward aspirational targets (≥50%), promoting low-cost, low-effort technique improvements first (e.g., water exchange, optimized withdrawal technique, patient positioning), followed by technological and systemic interventions as resources allow. Sustained feedback and educational programs are key to ongoing quality improvement. The combination of these approaches can meaningfully decrease missed lesions, lowering CRC risk and mortality.<br /><br />Overall, this review provides strong evidence-based guidance to endoscopists and facilities on multiple validated strategies to enhance colonoscopy quality and adenoma detection.

Keywords

adenoma detection rate

colonoscopy quality

colorectal cancer prevention

water exchange colonoscopy

withdrawal time

right colon examination

distal attachment devices

enhanced imaging technologies

computer-aided detection

education and feedback