ASGE Awards 68 Endoscopy Units for Excellence

OAK BROOK, Ill.—The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) today announced that it has recognized 68 endoscopy units as part of its new program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy.

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, 124 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.

“ASGE continues to receive an outstanding response to the program, and we are delighted to be recognizing recipients from 68 endoscopy units, who are working hard everyday to provide high-quality care to their patients in a safe environment,” said Douglas Faigel, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance Task Force. “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 either the “Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit” course held in Oak Brook, Ill., in October 2008, or the course held in Las Vegas, Nev., in February 2009.

Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE "certificate of recognition" for promoting quality in endoscopy. 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.