title: A quality improvement project comparing two regimens of medication for colonoscopy preparation.
abstract: As part of an ongoing performance evaluation and Quality Improvement (QI) program at the U. S. National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, two bowel preparations that were concurrently in use (Fleet Phospho-soda and Colyte/Dulcolax) were evaluated for patient tolerance and preference, efficacy, and cost. Anonymous patient questionnaires were distributed during a three-phase assessment that took place over an 18-month period. This approach identified preconceived ideas regarding bowel preparations and contributed to development of objective information regarding the bowel preparations currently available. The outcome of this QI project altered the previous routine and resulted in the adoption of Fleet Phospho-soda as the preferred medication for colon preparation prior to colonoscopy, based on superior bowel cleansing as judged by the physicians, higher patient preference and compliance, similar tolerance, and lower cost.
authors.affiliation: National Naval Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allaire
authors.forename: William O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Brooks D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: Deborah J B
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Galt
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001726:Bisacodyl / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016527:Drug Costs; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010710:Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011787:Quality of Health Care
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004573:Electrolytes; C033608:Golytely; D010710:Phosphates; D001726:Bisacodyl; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C018279:sodium phosphate