CPSI applauds the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG), in partnership with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has developed the Consensus Guidelines on Safety and Quality Indicators in Endoscopy to promote greater safety and quality in endoscopic services to Canadians. There are more than 1.6 million endoscopic tests performed in Canada every year.
“We applaud the leadership of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology in developing these guidelines that promote patient safety for Canadians undergoing endoscopic tests,” says Hugh MacLeod, CEO of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI). “Patient safety transformation is a collaborative effort and we acknowledge the work of the CAG in the collective task of improving patient safety.”
“If one looks at endoscopy service delivery, particularly from a patient point of view – which is access to services, rapid access, high quality services, feedback and an ability to respond to how they perceive endoscopy service delivery, there really was nothing in place,” says Dr. David Armstrong, Chair of the Endoscopy Committee and the Consensus Guideline Committee. “These guidelines say what should be monitored and what processes have to be in place from a patient point of view. The Consensus Guidelines provide the framework for quality improvement programs to monitor how services are delivered.”
The Consensus Guidelines were developed by a group of 35 Canadian, European and U.S.-based participants, who reviewed more than two decades worth of research to develop 23 evidence-based recommendations that address quality and safety indicators, quality assurance, training and credentialing and ethics in endoscopy. Focus groups and patients in Calgary, Hamilton and Montreal were also involved in reviewing the Consensus Guidelines.
The new national Consensus Guidelines will provide those who deliver service with new ways to measure and benchmark practices. The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology will work with its members, its partner the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, provincial gastroenterology associations and other stakeholders to promote broad implementation of the Consensus Guidelines across Canada.
For more information visit the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology website, www.cag-acg.org.