Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Little is known about endoscopic services provided or operational practice variation within California public hospital endoscopy centers.Methods
A survey was distributed to all 18 California public hospitals with endoscopy centers to assess operational practices.Results
Eight of 18 hospitals responded to the survey. Six of the eight responding hospitals used a closed access system for patient referrals. Mean wait time for an endoscopic procedure was 42.4 ± 37.7 days (N = 8) with a mean procedure no-show/cancellation rate of 14.5 ± 8.0% (N = 7). All responding public hospitals performed colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, PEG tube placement, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with two hospitals performing endoscopic ultrasound. There was significant practice variation in the documentation of endoscopic quality and performance measurements among the responding hospitals. Multiple methods were used to communicate pathology results to patients: GI clinic visit (6/8), primary physician (4/8), telephone (2/8) or letter (1/8).Conclusion
Our study highlights the diversity and practice variations of endoscopy center operations at California public hospitals and serves as a catalyst for future collaborations among safety-net hospitals.
SUBMITTER: Day LW
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3693938 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature