GI Unit Leadership: Shaping a High-Performing Endoscopy Unit (Virtual) | February 2026-ASGE quality measures

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The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee presents a white paper outlining quality measures aimed at delivering equitable endoscopic care to traditionally underserved patients in the United States. Recognizing substantial disparities in endoscopic healthcare linked to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, sexual orientation, gender identity, geography, and disability, the paper proposes a framework for quality improvement, focusing on equity rather than minimum standards.<br /><br />Developed by a multidisciplinary task force through literature review and expert consensus, the paper details nine quality measures categorized into facilities-related, human capital–related, and patient-directed measures. Priority measures emphasize maintaining up-to-date equipment, consistent staffing standards irrespective of patient population, cultural competency and implicit bias training, and reliable language-specific communication infrastructure.<br /><br />Facilities must ensure well-maintained, modern endoscopic equipment, privacy-enhancing structural modifications (including gender-neutral restrooms and accommodations for disabilities and high BMI), and uncompromised procedural resources regardless of the patient demographics served. Staffing must meet uniform standards, with proactive, diverse, and inclusive hiring practices fostering workforce diversity, which improves patient satisfaction, compliance, and outcomes. Cultural competency, implicit bias, and sensitivity training are essential for all personnel to provide respectful, compassionate care tailored to patients’ diverse backgrounds, addressing language barriers and mistrust.<br /><br />Patient-directed measures include culturally informed education tailored to underserved populations, effective communication systems with pre- and post-procedure language support, financial support mechanisms to offset patient-incurred costs, and participation in pro bono or low-cost endoscopic care programs for low-income or uninsured patients.<br /><br />The document emphasizes collaboration among healthcare providers, administrators, policymakers, and community organizations to implement these measures, noting challenges especially for resource-limited practices. It advocates for ongoing research, benchmarking, and sharing of best practices to validate and enhance these quality indicators. Ultimately, the ASGE envisions integrating these equity measures as standard components of endoscopic care quality, improving outcomes and fostering justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in gastroenterology.

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Keywords

ASGE

Quality Assurance

Endoscopy

Health Equity

Underserved Patients

Cultural Competency

Implicit Bias Training

Language Access

Workforce Diversity

Pro Bono Care

ASGE Quality Measures Framework

Health Equity

Underserved Patients

Endoscopic Care

Endoscopy Unit Quality Measure