title: Quality assurance of endoscopy in colorectal cancer screening.
abstract: This chapter explores the concept of quality assurance of colorectal cancer screening. It argues that effective quality assurance is critical to ensure that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms. The three key steps of quality assurance, definition of standards, measurement of standards and enforcement of standards, are explained. Quality is viewed from the perspective of the patient and illustrated by following the path of patients accessing endoscopy within screening services. The chapter discusses the pros and cons of programmatic versus non-programmatic screening and argues that quality assurance of screening can and should benefit symptomatic services. Finally, the chapter emphasises the importance of a culture of excellence underpinned by continuous quality improvement and effective service leadership.
authors.affiliation: Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom. roland.valori@endoscopy.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valori
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sint Nicolaas
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Jonge
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education