The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 48 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines. To date, 215 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.
"ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 48 endoscopy units, whose staff work hard every day to provide high-quality care to their patients in a safe environment," said Bret T. Petersen, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee. "There continues to be an outstanding response to this program. We are proud to acknowledge these ASGE members through our Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program for their commitment to promoting the highest standards of safety and quality."
An important component of the program is an educational course that thoroughly reviews related guidelines. Honorees attended the "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit" course held in Oak Brook, Ill., in December 2009.
Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE "Certificate of Recognition" for promoting quality in endoscopy. This symbol can be displayed to let patients and referring physicians know that the endoscopy unit is dedicated to delivering high-quality endoscopic care and has received specialized training around these principles.
New ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program Honorees
Beverly Hospital Endoscopy Department, Beverly, MA
Bulloch County Endoscopy Center, LLC, Statesboro, GA
Butler Ambulatory Surgery Center, Butler, PA
Chang Ho Suk, MD, Flushing, NY
Charlottesville Gastroenterology, Charlottesville, VA
Davis Memorial Endoscopy Center, Elkins, WV
Digestive Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Digestive Health Specialists, PA Thomasville, Thomasville, NC
Drexel Centers for Digestive Health, Philadelphia, PA
Endoscopy Center of Bucks County, Newtown, PA
Endoscopy Center of Long Island, Garden City, NY
Gastro One, G.I. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center, L.L.C., Germantown, TN
GastroIntestinal Associates, Wausau, WI
GI Associates & Endoscopy Center, Jackson, MS
Great Neck Gastro, PLLC, Manhasset, NY
Gulf Breeze Endoscopy Center, Gulf Breeze, FL
Hershey Endoscopy Center, Hershey, PA
Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, CA
Jacksonville Center for Endoscopy, Jacksonville, FL
Joel A. Baum, MD, Forest Hills, NY
Memorial Mission Surgery Center, Chattanooga, TN
MGAGI Diagnostic & Therapeutic Center, Marrero, LA
Midlands Endoscopy Center, LLC, Irmo, SC
Myron D. Goldberg, New York, NY
Northern GI Endoscopy, Glens Falls, NY
Norwalk Hospital GI Lab, Norwalk, CT
Ocean Surgical Pavilion, Oakhurst, NJ
ProHealth Care Associates, New Hyde Park, NY
Rhawn Street Endoscopy Center, Philadelphia, PA
Riverside Endoscopy Center, Steubenville, OH
Riverwalk Endoscopy and Surgery Center, LLC, Fort Myers, FL
Rochester Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Rochester Hills, MI
Space Coast Endoscopy Center, Rockledge, FL
St. Francis Center for Digestive Disorders, Columbus, GA
Summit Surgicare, Oak Brook Terrace, IL
Susquehanna GI Associates, Montoursville, PA
The Endoscopy Center, Savannah, GA
The Endoscopy Center of Pensacola, Pensacola, FL
Thomas Jefferson University Digestive Disease Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Twin Forks Gastroenterology & Hepatology, PC, Hampton Bays, NY
UMDNJ-University Hospital, Newark, NJ
University of Michigan Hospital, East Ann Arbor Medical Procedures Center, Ann Arbor, MI
USF Health Endoscopy and Surgery Center, Tampa, FL
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Endoscopy Unit, Ann Arbor, MI
West Chester G.I. Associates, PC, West Chester, PA
West Jefferson Medical Center Endoscopy Unit, Marrero, LA
Wilson Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center, Wilson, NC
Yakima Gastroenterology Associates, Yakima, WA
Delayed puberty in boys could lead to new follow-up healthcare routines in the future