Masterclass: Colorectal Screening Plus (Virtual) | September 2025-Quality Matters: Indicators for Screening Tests

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Video Summary

Dr. Asma Shokat, a professor and GI outcomes research director, discussed the critical importance of quality measures in colorectal cancer screening programs. She emphasized that quality is a continuous process involving the entire screening pathway, from target population identification to follow-up of abnormal tests. For stool-based tests, protocols for sample collection, lab quality control, patient education, and tracking incomplete tests are essential to ensure accurate results and high completion rates. The US Multi-Society Task Force recommends single-sample FIT over GUAC FOBT, annual repeat FIT testing, prompt colonoscopy after positive stool tests (ideally within six weeks), and achieving goals like ≥60% FIT completion and ≥80% colonoscopy follow-up after positive tests. <br /><br />For colonoscopy, new quality benchmarks include an adenoma detection rate (ADR) of 40% in men and 30% in women over 45, with ≥50% ADR for colonoscopies following abnormal stool tests. Sessile serrated lesion detection rates should be separately measured with a target of 6%. Withdrawal times of 8–9 minutes reflecting adequate inspection technique are linked to better detection rates. Documentation of polyp resection and use of cold snare for polyps 4–9 mm have strict quality targets. Adherence to surveillance guidelines should exceed 90%. Dr. Shokat urged clinicians to use endoscopist report cards, improve bowel prep quality, employ effective withdrawal techniques, and consider new technologies like computer-assisted detection. Overall, she advocated continuous quality monitoring and multidisciplinary cooperation to enhance colorectal cancer screening effectiveness.

Asset Subtitle

Aasma Shaukat

Keywords

colorectal cancer screening

quality measures

stool-based tests

FIT testing

adenoma detection rate

colonoscopy quality benchmarks

computer-assisted detection