Improving Quality and Safety in the Endoscopy Unit (Virtual) | August 2023-Guideline

Guideline_ASGE guidelines for safety

Pdf Summary

Historically, the focus on safety in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy units has centered around infection control, particularly in regards to the reprocessing of endoscopes. In 2009, new regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) eliminated the distinction between sterile operating rooms and non-sterile procedure rooms, subjecting GI endoscopy units to the same standards as sterile surgical rooms. The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations for implementing safety efforts in endoscopy units and to serve as a guideline for evaluating endoscopy units. The document addresses issues such as structural requirements for GI endoscopy units, traffic patterns in the unit, personal protective equipment, sedation supervision, capnography use, staffing requirements, and infection control practices. Recommendations for architectural layout, facilities, and recovery areas are also provided. The document emphasizes the importance of evidence-based requirements for safety, and suggests that when data is absent, they may be derived from experts in the field of GI endoscopy. The document also highlights the need for ongoing education and competency evaluation of staff regarding infection control and patient safety. In conclusion, the safety of GI endoscopy units begins with strong leadership and a culture of safety, and is supported by evidence-based guidelines and policies that prioritize patient safety throughout all stages of the endoscopy process.

Keywords

safety in GI endoscopy units

infection control

reprocessing of endoscopes

CMS regulations

sterile operating rooms

structural requirements

personal protective equipment

sedation supervision

capnography use

staffing requirements