Affiliations

Center for Advanced Care Minor Procedures, Advocate South Suburban Hospital

Presentation Notes

Quality Improvement poster presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.

Abstract

Background

With the increased rates of colorectal cancer in the population less than 50 years old, the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended age to 45 years old for screening colonoscopies. Colorectal cancer rates have increased 51% since 1994 for people under 50 years old, while overall colorectal cancer rates have decreased.

Local problem

Early detection becomes difficult to achieve for people that are required to see a Gastrointestinal physician prior to being scheduled for their colonoscopy. Providers are scheduled out for several months and most of the population meet criteria colonoscopy without an office visit.

Method

South Suburban Hospital developed Direct Access Screening Colonoscopy (DASC) guidelines, providing inclusion and exclusion criteria so patients may be scheduled for their screening colonoscopy promptly and without an office visit. All patients over 45 should be offered a screening colonoscopy, even in the absence of risk factors.

Data collection focuses on total DASC cases completed, cases that are positive for polyps, cases referred to an advanced GI physician, cases referred to a surgeon, and cases that have malignancy detected.

Results/Conclusions

In 2021, a total of 1324 DASC cases were completed; 880 of those cases were positive for polyps, and eight of those were positive for malignancy. In 2022, a total of 1500 DASC cases were completed; 904 cases were positive for polyps, and three cases were positive for malignancy.

Implications for practice

Data collection continues in 2023, as the DASC program has provided improved patient access to screening colonoscopies with timely intervention. Incremental analysis can be done to show the prevalence of screenings completed in the 45-50 age group.

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

11-15-2023


 

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Nov 15th, 12:00 AM

Screening colonoscopy: Your gut will thank you for it

Background

With the increased rates of colorectal cancer in the population less than 50 years old, the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended age to 45 years old for screening colonoscopies. Colorectal cancer rates have increased 51% since 1994 for people under 50 years old, while overall colorectal cancer rates have decreased.

Local problem

Early detection becomes difficult to achieve for people that are required to see a Gastrointestinal physician prior to being scheduled for their colonoscopy. Providers are scheduled out for several months and most of the population meet criteria colonoscopy without an office visit.

Method

South Suburban Hospital developed Direct Access Screening Colonoscopy (DASC) guidelines, providing inclusion and exclusion criteria so patients may be scheduled for their screening colonoscopy promptly and without an office visit. All patients over 45 should be offered a screening colonoscopy, even in the absence of risk factors.

Data collection focuses on total DASC cases completed, cases that are positive for polyps, cases referred to an advanced GI physician, cases referred to a surgeon, and cases that have malignancy detected.

Results/Conclusions

In 2021, a total of 1324 DASC cases were completed; 880 of those cases were positive for polyps, and eight of those were positive for malignancy. In 2022, a total of 1500 DASC cases were completed; 904 cases were positive for polyps, and three cases were positive for malignancy.

Implications for practice

Data collection continues in 2023, as the DASC program has provided improved patient access to screening colonoscopies with timely intervention. Incremental analysis can be done to show the prevalence of screenings completed in the 45-50 age group.

 

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