Endoscopy 2012; 44(05): 462-472
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1291663
Original article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Benchmarking patient experiences in colonoscopy using the Global Rating Scale

J. Sint Nicolaas
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
V. de Jonge
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
I. J. Korfage
2   Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
F. ter Borg
3   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Deventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands
,
J. T. Brouwer
4   Reinier de Graaf Hospital, Delft, The Netherlands
,
D. L. Cahen
5   Amstelland Hospital, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
,
W. Lesterhuis
6   Albert Schweitzer Group, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
,
R. J. Th. Ouwendijk
7   Ikazia Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
E. J. Kuipers
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
8   Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
M. E. van Leerdam
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
for the SCoPE consortium › Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

submitted 05. April 2011

accepted after revision 09. Dezember 2011

Publikationsdatum:
02. März 2012 (online)

Introduction: The Global Rating Scale (GRS) is a quality assurance program that was developed in England to assess patient-centered care in endoscopy. The aim of the current study was to evaluate patient experiences of colonoscopy using the GRS in order to compare different departments and to provide benchmarks. The study also evaluated factors associated with patient satisfaction.

Methods: A GRS questionnaire was used both before and after the procedure in outpatients undergoing colonoscopy. The questionnaire assessed the processes associated with the colonoscopy, from making the appointment up until discharge. Mean values and ranges of 12 endoscopy departments were calculated together with P values in order to assess heterogeneity.

Results: In total, 1904 pre-procedure and 1532 (80 %) post-procedure questionnaires were returned from 12 endoscopy departments. The mean time patients had to wait for their procedure was 4.3 weeks (range 3.1 – 5.8 weeks), and 54 % (range 35 – 64 %; P < 0.001) reported being given a choice of appointment dates/times. Discomfort during colonoscopy was reported by 20 % (range 8 – 40 %; P < 0.001). Recovery room privacy was satisfactory for 76 % of patients (range 66 – 90 %; P < 0.05). The majority of patients reported being sufficiently informed about what to do in case of problems after discharge (79 %, range 43 – 98 %; P < 0.001), and 85 % of individuals stated that they would be willing to repeat the colonoscopy procedure (range 72 – 92 %; P < 0.001). Factors associated with a decreased willingness to return were the burdensome bowel preparation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.25; P < 0.001), “rushing staff” attitude (OR = 0.57; P < 0.05), low acceptance of the procedure (OR = 0.42; P < 0.01), and more discomfort than expected (OR = 0.54; P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Overall patient experiences with colonoscopy were satisfactory, but they also showed considerable variation. This study shows that use of a GRS patient questionnaire is feasible in the Dutch endoscopy setting for the assessment of patient experience. The significant variability between endoscopy units can be used to benchmark services and enable shortcomings to be identified.

Appendix eI and eII are available online:

 
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