OAK BROOK, Ill. – Dec. 6, 2010 – The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 57 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, 272 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.
"ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 57 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 this course, entitled "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit."
Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE "Certificate of Recognition" for promoting quality in endoscopy which is valid for three years, providing the unit remains accredited and complies with all program criteria. 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
Allegheny Regional Endoscopy, Altoona, PA
Austin Endoscopy Center II, LLP, Austin, TX
Battle Creek Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Battle Creek, MI
Carolina Endoscopy Center-Huntersville, Huntersville, NC
Carolina Endoscopy Center-Pineville, Charlotte, NC
Carolina Endoscopy Center-University, Charlotte, NC
Carolinas Medical Center Endoscopy Department, Charlotte, NC
Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy Endoscopy Department, Charlotte, NC
Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville Endoscopy Department, Charlotte, NC
Carolinas Medical Center-University Endoscopy Department, Charlotte, NC
Center for Digestive Disorders-UPMC McKeesport, McKeesport, PA
Central Penn Endoscopy Center, Lewisburg, PA
CGC- Ballantyne, Charlotte, NC
CGC- Medical Center Plaza, Charlotte, NC
Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA
CS Center LLC, Charlotte, NC
DCA Diagnostics LLC, Lithia Springs, GA
Digestive Health Specialists, PA, Advance, NC
Endoscopy Center of Colorado Springs, LLC, Colorado Springs, CO
Evanston Hospital GI Lab, Evanston, IL
Forsyth Medical Center Endoscopy Suite, Winston Salem, NC
Galen Gastroenterology, Chattanooga, TN
GastroDiagnostics, A Medical Group, Orange, CA
Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater, Virginia Beach, VA
GI Diagnostics Endoscopy Center, Marietta, GA
GI Endoscopy and Bronchoscopy Suites, New York, NY
GI Endoscopy Center at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL
Glenbrook Hospital GI Lab, Evanston, IL
Goshen General Hospital, Goshen, IN
Gundersen Lutheran Endoscopy Center, La Crosse, WI
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and Center for Health Services, Wyandotte, MI
Highland Park Hospital GI Lab, Evanston, IL
Iowa Endoscopy Center, Clive, IA
Jackson Gastroenterology Center, Jackson, MI
McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA
Methodist Dallas Medical Center John R. Ford Center for Digestive Health, Dallas, TX
Metro Health Outpatient Endoscopy, Wyoming, MI
Moreland Endoscopy Center/GI Specialists, LLC, Waukesha, WI
Myriam Urrutia-Eder MD Endoscopy Center Inc, Alexandria, VA
New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Riverdale, NY
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA
Peninsula Gastroenterology/Riverside Endoscopy Center, Newport News, VA
Piedmont Endoscopy Center, Winston Salem, NC
Riverside Regional Medical Center Endoscopy Center, Newport News, VA
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System Endoscopy Department, Sarasota, FL
Shannon Medical Center GI-Lab, San Angelo, TX
Skokie Hospital GI Lab, Evanston, IL
St. Luke's Hospital and Regional Trauma Center-Endoscopy Department, Duluth, MN
Surgery Center of Des Moines West, West Des Moines, IA
Surgicenter Endoscopy, Phoenix, AZ
The Toledo Clinic-Outpatient Surgery Department, Toledo, OH
UMC Center for Advanced Endoscopy, Tucson, AZ
Vernon Hills GI Lab, Vernon Hills, IL
Washington Hospital Center GI Endoscopy Unit, Washington, DC
West Bridgewater MA Endoscopy ASC, LLC, West Bridgewater, MA
West River Endoscopy, Providence, RI
Wyoming County Community Hospital Endoscopy Unit, Warsaw, NY
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 period and is renewable.
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. For a list of the full benefits, log on to www.asge.org.
ASGE and Quality
ASGE is the profession's leader in setting standards of excellence in endoscopy through its safety guidelines and the training of its members so that patients receive the best and safest care possible. The Society constantly reinforces the importance of quality among its members through member communications, such as emails and newsletters, and its CME courses, including "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit."
The program course is being repeated in 2011. Details on the 2011 course dates will be posted soon, so check the ASGE website at www.asge.org (or call 630-573-0600) after the New Year for details on registration. A list of the full requirements and benefits of the Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program can also be found on the website.
About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with nearly 12,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information and to find a qualified doctor in your area.
About Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.