Improving Quality and Safety in the Endoscopy Unit (Virtual) | November 2025-Endoscopy Unit Efficiency

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Dr. Jessica Yu discusses improving efficiency in endoscopy units, emphasizing that efficiency is not merely speed but involves safe, timely, and cost-effective care. Evidence on efficiency is limited and often focuses on physician performance; however, operational flow and staffing have greater impacts than procedure time alone.<br /><br />Key factors influencing efficiency are summarized in an "Efficiency Pyramid" addressing facility, information technology, staff metrics, workflow processes, and cultural beliefs. Facility design includes thoughtful layout of waiting, pre-procedure, procedure, and recovery areas, with attention to standardized room setups and equipment management. Staffing considerations involve volume, training, reducing burnout, and maintaining core teams to promote consistency and smooth room turnover.<br /><br />Information technology should aim for integrated electronic medical records accessible via mobile workstations, a unified patient flow database, and leveraging AI-based tools toward a paperless, interconnected system. Efficiency metrics span structural aspects (layout, staff, sedation type), processes (preparation time, case start, procedure duration, room turnover), and outcomes (waiting time, throughput, resource utilization, costs).<br /><br />Workflow optimization focuses on patient flow from registration, pre-procedure preparation—including consent and IV access—to sedation choice, procedure execution with minimized distractions, and recovery, aiming to reduce delays and improve turnover. Enhancing patient preparedness via pre-procedure communication and standardized checklists also supports efficiency.<br /><br />Cultural beliefs promoting teamwork, adaptability, open communication, and daily team huddles are essential to recognizing inefficiencies and driving continuous improvement.<br /><br />In summary, improving endoscopy unit efficiency requires a holistic approach beyond speeding procedures—mapping workflows, optimizing staffing and facilities, utilizing IT, measuring relevant metrics, and fostering a culture oriented toward teamwork and innovation. This comprehensive strategy offers better quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness in patient care.

Asset Subtitle

Jessica X. Yu, MD, MS

Keywords

endoscopy unit efficiency

Efficiency Pyramid

facility design

staffing optimization

information technology in healthcare

workflow optimization

patient flow management

efficiency metrics

teamwork culture

AI in medical records