Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Annals colonoscopy study underscores importance of quality standards

Annals colonoscopy study underscores importance of quality standards

December 18, 2008

A study by Baxter, et al. released this week and scheduled to be published in the Jan. 6, 2009, edition of Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that while screening colonoscopy is associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer, the association is primarily limited to deaths from cancer developing in the left side of the colon.

This confirms the value of colonoscopy as a screening test and clarifies a possible weakness: detecting polyps on the right side of the colon. While the findings were notable, it's important to note that the study enrolled patients starting more than a decade ago. During the past decade, there have been significant advances in how colonoscopies are performed and in the colonoscopes themselves with wider fields of view and better optics.




"It's of paramount importance that physicians perform a colonoscopy examination as effectively as possible," notes Robert Sandler, MD, AGAF, president of the AGA Institute. "Gastroenterologists are aware of the need to slowly withdraw the colonoscope and to carefully examine the right colon for flat polyps. The most important variable in colonoscopy is the skill of the physician performing the test. Having a well trained, careful endoscopist who is aware of the newest ideas and techniques is a patient's best protection against poor results."

The AGA and other professional societies are working to make quality care a priority for the medical community. To define high-quality colonoscopy, the AGA directs physicians, purchasers and the public to the standards for endoscopy and polyp surveillance created by the AGA and ASGE through the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. We urge all who perform colonoscopy to adhere to this physician performance measure set.

Of particular relevance is Measure #3: Comprehensive Colonoscopy Documentation. It notes that the final reports include documentation of all of the following:

* Pre-procedure risk assessment
* Depth of insertion of the colonoscope
* Quality of the bowel preparation
* Complete description of the polyps found, including the location of each polyp, size, number and gross morphology
* Recommendations for follow up

American Gastroenterological Association



Related Colonoscopy Current Events and Colonoscopy News Articles Colonoscopy Current Events and Colonoscopy News RSS Colonoscopy Current Events and Colonoscopy News RSS
Colon cancer screening more effective earlier in day, UCLA study finds
The effectiveness of a screening colonoscopy may depend on the time of day it is performed. According to a new UCLA study, early-morning colonoscopies yielded more polyps per patient than later screenings, and fewer polyps were found hour by hour as the day progressed.

Residents play key role in CT colonography awareness and promoting the radiology specialty
Residents can serve a vital role in educating Congress, the medical community, and the general public regarding the efficacy of cutting-edge technologies like CT colonography (CTC) as well as the importance of radiologists' training and education and the role that radiologists serve in the provision of quality health care.

High-definition Colonoscopy Detects More Polyps, Mayo Clinic Researchers Say
High-definition (HD) colonoscopy is much more sensitive than standard colonoscopy in finding polyps that could morph into cancer, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida.

Study shows unsedated colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening well accepted by patients
Researchers from Taiwan report in a new study that unsedated colonoscopy for primary colorectal cancer screening is well accepted in a majority of patients.

M. D. Anderson redefines screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers
Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

How to Lower Costs, Waiting Times for Colonoscopies
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, leading to over 50,000 fatalities every year.

New blood tests promise simple, cost-effective diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers
Promising results from two new blood tests that can aid in the early identification of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers will be presented at Europe's largest cancer congress.

Gut Ecology in Transplant Patients
Small-bowel transplant patients with an ileostomy -- an opening into their small bowel -- have a very different population of bacteria living in their gut than patients whose ileostomy has been closed, researchers from UC Davis and Georgetown University Medical Center have found.

How to increase colonoscopy attendance?
In view of low attendance rate for colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), it is necessary to establish effective intervention methods to increase colonoscopy compliance.

Reinterpretation of proximal colon polyps called hyperplastic in 2001
Serrated colorectal polyps include the subgroups hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated polyps (also called sessile serrated adenomas), and serrated adenomas.
More Colonoscopy Current Events and Colonoscopy News Articles
Colonoscopy: Principles and Practice

Colonoscopy: Principles and Practice
by Jerome D. Waye (Editor), Douglas K. Rex (Editor), Christopher B. Williams (Editor)

First Edition - Winner of 2004 BMA Medical Book Competition in Gastroenterology

The second edition of this prize winning book is written by some of the world’s foremost experts in the field of colonoscopy and colonic imaging. Every chapter has been updated and 5 new chapters have been added to include the latest information and advances in the field of colonoscopy: Capsule Colonoscopy  Narrow Band Imaging Confocal Endomicroscopy Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in the Colon New Colonoscopes and Assist Devices

Drawing on the vast experience of the authors it covers every area of medicine that impacts on colonoscopy, including virtual colonography, pathology, techniques for pediatric and adult procedures, and legal aspects...

Colonoscopy: It'll Crack U Up

Colonoscopy: It'll Crack U Up
by Patricia L. Raymond (Author)

Are you the proud owner of a vintage posterior? Were you born on or before January 1, 1954?

Well,then, "Colonoscopy: It’ll Crack U Up" is just up your alley!

Crack U Up is the latest publication from Dr. Patricia Raymond and Rx For Sanity…a compilation of bottom humor for anyone with a tail approaching 50. Find out your risks for colon cancer, what you can do to prevent it, take the Cheek Check Challenge. Show your support for your friends and relatives post-colonoscopy – congratulate them with a great gift copy of Crack U Up!

We prescribe a copy of "Crack U Up" for your personal use….and suggest you dose two of your friends or business associates with a copy. Resolve to take better care of yourself, urge those closest you to do the same, and ...

Atlas of Colonoscopy: Examination Techniques and Diagnosis

Atlas of Colonoscopy: Examination Techniques and Diagnosis
by Helmut Messmann (Editor)

A complete guide to colonoscopy featuring more than 1,000 superb illustrations!<br><br>In recent decades, colonoscopy has developed into one of the most essential techniques for early screening, detection, and diagnosis of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other disorders. And rapid advances in interventional endoscopy offer doctors and patients an ever-increasing array of treatment possibilities. For newcomers to the technique and advanced practitioners alike, this lavishly illustrated atlas is a state-of-the-art guide to total colonoscopy.<br><br>An accessible introduction to colonoscopy<br>-Expert authors present all of the necessary instruments and examination techniques, as well as guidelines on preparation, related medications,...

CT Colonography: Principles and Practice of Virtual Colonoscopy

CT Colonography: Principles and Practice of Virtual Colonoscopy
by Perry J. Pickhardt MD (Author), David H. Kim MD (Author)

In CT Colonography, Perry Pickhardt and David Kim present techniques for quicker evaluation and diagnosis of colon cancer through the pioneering, specialty-changing imaging technique of virtual colonoscopy (VC). This combination of sophisticated X-rays and CT scans of the abdomen offers patients an alternative to colonoscopy that is cost effective and reduces the need for unnecessary polyp removal. Abundantly illustrated in full color, this pioneering book describes CT colonography from pathogenesis, staging and treatment through indications, technique, and interpretation for the most common pathologies. You'll have the full spectrum of VC technique and be able to see procedures performed through video clips on the included DVD.

Covers principles, techniques, and interpretations...

  Colonoscopy
Also With: Milner-Fenwick (Producer)

This video outlines why patients may require a colonoscopy, including to screen for colorectal cancer. It helps array patients' fears by showing them what to expect throughout this procedure. The video explains cleansing preparations, possible complications, side effects and recovery. Scenes of polyps and their removal shot through the scope will help patients understand the importance of this procedure. Approx. 10 minutes long.

Atlas of Virtual Colonoscopy

Atlas of Virtual Colonoscopy
by Abraham H. Dachman (Editor), J.T. Ferrucci (Editor), J.H. Bond (Editor)

Virtual colonoscopy is a rapidly developing technique that promises to be safer, more economical, and less intrusive than conventional diagnostic tests for colon cancer. This procedure allows the physician to look inside the body without having to insert a long tube into the colon, as in conventinal colonoscopy, or filling the colon with liquid barium, as with barium enema. VC has attracted the attention of the media and the public as a much-lauded alternative to current techniques.

In response to this demand, renowned radiologist Dr. Abraham Dachman and a distinguished list of international contributors have put together a comprehensive atlas that depicts the entire range of this new technique. The illustrations are clear and true to life, showing normal and abnormal findings in...

Virtual Colonoscopy

Virtual Colonoscopy
by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Virtual Colonoscopy : Virtual Colonoscopy Pub Date: October 2007 Product Type: Print Author/s: Judy Yee MD This text is a complete and practical guide to performing virtual colonoscopy examinations and interpreting the results. The book provides precise instructions on how to prepare the patient and specific protocols for the various CT scanners currently in use. Detailed chapters on interpretation demonstrate normal anatomy, anatomic variants, CT appearances of polyps and cancer, and pitfalls of interpretation on two-dimensional and three-dimensional views. Additional chapters cover extracolonic findings, reporting, and fecal and fluid tagging. More than 700 illustrations show examination techniques and normal and pathologic findings.A companion Website will offer...

Colonoscopy - Risque Eye Charts Birthday Greeting Card

Colonoscopy - Risque Eye Charts Birthday Greeting Card
by NobleWorks Inc.

These cards are part of a long tradition of humorous greeting cards published by NobleWorks Inc., originators of the Talk Bubble card line. NobleWorks offers outrageously wild, hysterically funny, and sometimes unbelievably naughty greeted and blank cards. We feature such properties as Tim Whyatt, Dan Collins, Leo Cullum, Glenn McCoy, Gary McCoy, Tom Cheney, Liberace, Sign Language, Bitter With Baggage, Bad Cat, Bad Dog, Bad Baby, Bush Mania, Mortal Sins, A Cry For Help, Hot Betty, and Chrismukkah, just to name a few!

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy
New England Weather (Primary Contributor)



  Smell the Umbrella Stand
Also With: Warner Bros. (Producer)



© 2009 BrightSurf.com