Reports from General Hospital describe recent advances in colonoscopy
2009 JUN 29 - (NewsRx.com) -- Scientists discuss in 'Application of the BSG guidelines to a colonoscopy waiting list' new findings in colonoscopy. "Abstract Objective Currently priority for colonoscopy is given to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Surveillance colonoscopies place a significant demand on the service," investigators in the United Kingdom report. "These are held on a separate waiting list in our institution, which is currently several years behind. The purpose of this study was to apply the BSG guidelines to this waiting list in our institution in order to ascertain whether patients are appropriately listed. Method This was a retrospective review. The patients on the waiting list whose procedures were due in 2004 and 2005 formed the study group. Information on demographics, previous colonoscopies, and indication was taken from the case notes. Results were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results A total of 172 patients were overdue their colonoscopies. If the BSG guidelines were strictly adhered to, 49% of these patients were inappropriately listed. If applied less rigidly, 42% of patients should not have been on the list. The reasons for removal from the list were as follows: Thirty-nine patients were older than the upper age limit, 23 had had clear colonoscopies after adenomatous polyp follow up, four were listed for diverticular disease follow up, four for metaplastic polyps, one for constipation and one for per rectum (PR) bleed follow up. Conclusion With strict application of the BSG guidelines to a surveillance colonoscopy waiting list, 49% of the patients on the list do not need the procedure," wrote D. Clements and colleagues, General Hospital. The researchers concluded: "It is recommended that consultant led education and control of the waiting list be used to reduce unnecessary investigations." Clements and colleagues published their study in Colorectal Disease (Application of the BSG guidelines to a colonoscopy waiting list. Colorectal Disease, 2009;11(5):513-5). For additional information, contact D. Clements, West Wales General Hospital, Dept. of Colorectal Surgery, Carmarthen, UK. The publisher of the journal Colorectal Disease can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: United Kingdom, Colonoscopy, Colorectal Disease, Diagnostics, Epidemiology, Gastroenterology, Therapy, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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