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Quality assurance in the endoscopy unit: the view of endoscopy personnel
  1. V de Jonge1,
  2. Ernst J Kuipers1,2,
  3. Monique E van Leerdam1
  1. 1Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to Vincent de Jonge, Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Room Ba 393, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; v.dejonge{at}erasmusmc.nl

Abstract

Introduction Quality of health services depend on the entire medical team. A supportive team culture and effective leadership is required for successful quality assurance (QA). The opinion of endoscopy personnel towards QA is unknown, while they have to collaborate in many quality projects.

Methods A survey was sent to all endoscopy nurses, assistants and managers. It focused on the implementation of a QA programme. Further, a team assessment was included, focusing on leadership and team functioning, using scores on 5-point Likert scales, with 1 being a very positive opinion, and 5 being a very negative opinion towards the item.

Results 294 persons completed the questionnaire (44%). 87% expressed a positive attitude towards a QA programme, and 54% thought that the implementation of a nationwide QA programme for endoscopy would be feasible. Positive effects of QA were expected on publicity (62%) and overall quality (70%). Most important QA aspects were aftercare (97%) and patient experiences (96%). Concerns were raised about the time investment (18%) and disclosure of results towards media (24%). Team assessment showed good scores on `team working' with a mean score of 1.97. Lower scores were given to the `wider organization' (3.00) and `team process' (2.42).

Conclusion Endoscopy personnel have a positive attitude towards a QA programme. Besides, the team culture and its leadership are ready for the implementation of a QA programme. Efforts should be made to improve team processes and the relation with the wider organisation to ensure an optimal team culture, aimed at quality improvement.

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Footnotes

  • Contributors VdJ: concept and design, analyses and interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the article, final approval; EJK and MEvL: concept and design, interpretation of data, revision of the article, final approval.

  • Competing interests None.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.