The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 10 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines. To date, 134 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.

"ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 10 endoscopy units, whose staff work hard every day to provide high-quality care to their patients in a safe environment," said Bret T. Petersen, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee. "There continues to be an outstanding response to this program. We are proud to acknowledge these ASGE members through our Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program for their commitment to promoting the highest standards of safety and quality."

An important component of the program is an educational course that thoroughly reviews related guidelines. Honorees attended either the "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit" course held in Oak Brook, Ill., in October 2008, or the course held in Las Vegas, Nev., in February 2009.

Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE "Certificate of Recognition" for promoting quality in endoscopy. This symbol can be displayed to let patients and referring physicians know that the endoscopy unit is dedicated to delivering high-quality endoscopic care and has received specialized training around these principles.

New ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program Honorees:

Midwest Physician Surgery Center, Lees Summit, MO
Franklin Endoscopy Center, Franklin, TN
Lebanon Endoscopy Center, LLC, Lebanon, TN
Strand GI Endoscopy Center, Myrtle Beach, SC
Tacoma Digestive Disease Center/Tacoma Endoscopy Center, Tacoma, WA
Endoscopy Center Of Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, VA
Middlesex Endoscopy Center, Middletown, CT
Stanford Endoscopy Unit, Stanford, CA
Kettering Medical Center, Miamisburg, OH
Digestive Health Center, Wake Forest, Winston Salem, NC

About the Program:
To successfully complete the program and receive a Certificate of Recognition, a center must show proof of successful and current accreditation by a recognized accrediting body (AAAHC, Joint Commission); sign an attestation affirming that certain ASGE and CDC guidelines are adopted as minimum requirements of the unit policy; have a representative of the unit complete the ASGE Recognition Course, "Improving Quality and Safety In Your Endoscopy Unit;" and submit the application fee(s). The Certificate of Recognition award is granted for a three-year renewable period. The program is applicable to all settings in the United States where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units, and stand-alone ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers. As a benefit of successfully completing the program, endoscopy units will receive the ASGE Certificate of Recognition for Promoting Quality in Endoscopy, patient brochures - Ensuring the Safety of Your Endoscopic Procedure, access to advice from reprocessing experts and more.

Source:
Anne Brownsey
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

More Voices