IMPACT OF ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOWEL PREPARATION ON THE QUALITY OF BOWEL CLEANSING FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING OUTPATIENT COLONOSCOPY

Aims The ESGE recommends the use of enhanced instructions for bowel preparation. Limited literature exists regarding educational interventions at the daily routine. Therefore, aim of this study was to assess the effect of enhanced instructions in an extra appointment for patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy.

Methods 87 consecutive patients underwent outpatient screening colonoscopy in a single center between February and April 2019 were offered the possibility of an extra outpatient appointment. 55% (n = 48) used the enhanced instruction regarding preparation. The quality of the bowel preparation was measured according to the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). T-Test was used to assess differences between patients who received enhanced compared to those with standard instructions.

Results Sex and age were distributed equally between both groups (p = 0,86 & p = 0,46). All patients received a split dosed Sodium-picosulfate solution. Mean BBPS differed significantly between patients who received enhanced information with a mean of 8,54 (SD 1,03), compared to those who did not visit the extra outpatient appointment[7,3 (SD 1,9; p < 0,001]. Mean BBPS was 2,83 (SD 0,38) vs. 2.51 [SD 0,60; p = 0,003] in the left colon.

Among patients who did not visit vs. those who use the extra instruction appointment, mean BBPS was 2.51 (SD 0,60) vs. 2,83 [(SD 0,38); p = 0,003] in the distal, 2,44 (SD 0,68) vs. 2,88 [(SD 0,33); p < 0,001] in the transversal and [2,38 vs. 2.83 (p < 0,001)] in the proximal colon.

Conclusions Patients recieving enhanced instructions for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy had a significant better BBPS compared to those who have been receiving standard information.