Article Text
Abstract
Background The audit process may help improve performance indicators for colonoscopy quality but it is unclear whether this is sustained over several years.
Methods 44138 procedures for 28 endoscopists from 2004 to 2019 were analysed for polyp detection rate and withdrawal time. From 2012, 14 endoscopists were analysed with additional data on polyp histology and number of polyps removed.
Results Polyp detection increased from 40.7% in 2004 to 62.2% in 2019; removal of polyps>1 cm remained constant (11%). Adenoma detection rate was 25.8% in 2012 and 28.3% in 2019. Sessile serrated polyp (SSP) detection rate increased from 4.5% to 14.7%; most of the increase was in the first 2 years of the histology part of the audit. There was a significant correlation of adenoma detection rate with mean number of adenomas (r=0.72, p=0.004) and a significant correlation of SSP detection with mean number of SSPs (r=0.85, p=0.0001).
Conclusion The audit process appears to encourage a higher rate of polyp detection. This was due to increased detection of smaller polyps and increased detection of SSPs.
- adenoma
- colonic polyps
- colonoscopy
- audit
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Footnotes
Contributors TR initiated the audit process in 2004 and has continued to encourage and has continued to support the regular acquisition of data. PW is the Chair of the Endoscopy Specialist group that convenes 6 monthly feedback meetings. PW has collated and presented 6-monthly audit reports to the endoscopy group. ML and PF are previous chairs who have also supported the audit process. AGF has collated and analysed the data and is responsible for the overall content as guarantor. All authors have seen the final paper as well as regular audit reports since the start of the audit in 2004.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Not required.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data availability statement All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Data available on request.