National Endoscopy Quality Improvement Program Remains Suboptimal in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the characteristics of the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) and opinions regarding the National Endoscopy Quality Improvement Program (NEQIP).


METHODS
We surveyed physicians performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy screenings as part of the NCSP via e-mail between July and August in 2015. The 32-item survey instrument included endoscopic capacity, sedation, and reprocessing of endoscopes as well as opinions regarding the NEQIP.


RESULTS
A total of 507 respondents were analyzed after the exclusion of 40 incomplete answers. Under the current capacity of the NCSP, the typical waiting time for screening endoscopy was less than 4 weeks in more than 90% of endoscopy units. Performance of endoscopy reprocessing was suboptimal, with 28% of respondents using unapproved disinfectants or not knowing the main ingredient of their disinfectants and 15% to 17% of respondents not following reprocessing protocols. Agreement with the NEQIP was optimal, because only 5.7% of respondents did not agree with NEQIP; however, familiarity with the NEQIP was suboptimal, because only 37.3% of respondents were familiar with the NEQIP criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The NEQIP remains suboptimal in Korea. Given the suboptimal performance of endoscopy reprocessing and low familiarity with the NEQIP, improved quality in endoscopy reprocessing and better understanding of the NEQIP should be emphasized in Korea.
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Myung
JM
Cha
Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jeong Seop
JS
Moon
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Il-Kwun
IK
Chung
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jin-Oh
JO
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Jong Pil
JP
Im
Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yu Kyung
YK
Cho
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun Gun
HG
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sang Kil
SK
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hang Lak
HL
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Young
JY
Jang
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Eun Sun
ES
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yunho
Y
Jung
Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chang Mo
CM
Moon
Cancer Early Detection Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Yeol
Y
Kim
Cancer Early Detection Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Bo Young
BY
Park
D000328:Adult; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal / Q000592:standards; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004869:Equipment Safety / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Colorectal neoplasms; Endoscopy; Mass screening; Quality; Stomach neoplasms; gastrointestinal