Dr. Cavanaugh exceeds national benchmarks for quality colonoscopy!
Colonoscopy Quality Indicators
In order to be beneficial, colonoscopy as a screening tool to prevent colorectal cancer must be safe and effective. For that reason, national benchmarks have been established as quality indicators for those performing colonoscopy. Dr. Megan Cavanaugh has recently completed an audit of all colonoscopies performed by her group since they started their practice in April 2011.
Table 1 includes all colonoscopies and compares Dr. Cavanaugh's to national benchmarks for complications (bleeding or perforation), completeness (cecal intubation rate) and thoroughness (withdrawal time).
Table 1 | Dr. Cavanaugh & Team | National Benchmarks |
Colonoscopies | 3829 | N/A |
Perforation | 0 (0%) | ≤ 1/1000 |
Bleeding | 1 (0.026 %) | ≤ 10/1000 |
Cecal Intubation | 3823 (99.98 %) | >95% |
Withdrawal Time (avg) | 11.8 min | ≥ 6min |
Table 2 includes only average risk screening colonoscopies, the standard for reporting adenoma detection rate (percentage of patients having at least one adenomatous polyp identified), a measure of effectiveness.
Table 2 | Dr. Cavanaugh & Team | National Benchmark | ||
Apr 2011 - Aug 2012 | Sep 2012 - Aug 2013 | Sep 2013 - Aug 2014 | ||
Screening Colonoscopies |
866 | 568 | 785 | N/A |
Adenoma Detection Rate |
353 |
223 |
376 |
≥ 25 % for men |