Endoscopy Quality

April 2012 marks the beginning of the Partnership’s second five-year mandate and the next phase of implementing Canada’s national cancer strategy. The priorities and initiatives for the next five years are outlined in our 2012-2017 strategic plan, Sustaining Action Toward a Shared Vision. Our website will soon be updated to reflect the activities supporting the strategic plan. The information below reflects the priorities and accomplishments of our work between 2007 and 2012.

Developing quality indicators to support higher standards of care

Endoscopies are procedures that use tube-like instruments to look inside the human body. In collaboration with the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, the Partnership is developing quality indicators in colonoscopy, a type of endoscopy that uses a lighted tube to examine the colon. A colonoscopy is the recommended diagnostic test for people who have had a positive colorectal screening test.

The development of quality indicators for endoscopy will lead to quality and service improvements in colonoscopy across the country.

Progress to date

• A set of quality indicators in colonoscopy was agreed on as a result of structured dialogue that sought national, multidisciplinary agreement on appropriate indicators in colonoscopy. The indicators were presented at a consensus forum in the summer of 2010.
• With Partnership support, the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology is compiling, analyzing and reporting Canadian data on the use of colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer. This is being completed using the Global Rating Scale (GRS), an electronic feedback tool that is completed at the point of care to collect, analyze and report patient-centred indicators of quality in endoscopy.
• Following initial identification of all Canadian units performing colonoscopy, ongoing training is being offered on using the GRS tool to ensure data quality and that the GRS is being offered to gastroenterologists and general surgeons. Canadian endoscopy departments are showing a measurable increase in the use of the GRS. The group is currently exploring ways to update the tool to meet the needs of Canadian endoscopic units.
• A manuscript on Endoscopy Quality Indicators was developed in January 2011. In October 2011, it was submitted to and accepted by the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology. Publication is expected in the fall of 2011.