Recommended Citation
Lemmon A, Davis T, Morales MP. Screening colonoscopy: Your gut will thank you for it. 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.
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
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.
Affiliations
Center for Advanced Care Minor Procedures, Advocate South Suburban Hospital