ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program

Bay Area Gastroenterology is recognized by ASGE for Quality and Safety

Oak Brook, Illinois - April 22, 2009 - The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 68 endoscopy units as part of its new 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, 124 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.

“ASGE continues to receive an outstanding response to the program, and we are delighted to be recognizing recipients from 68 endoscopy units, who are working hard everyday to provide high-quality care to their patients in a safe environment,” said Douglas O. Faigel, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance Task Force. “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 either the “Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit” course held in Oak Brook, Ill., in October 2008, or the course held in Las Vegas, Nev., in February 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
Advanced Endoscopy Center, Bronx, NY
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Alliance Endoscopy Center, Metairie, LA
Austin Endoscopy Center I, LLP, Austin, TX
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, St. Louis, MO
Bay Area Houston Endoscopy, Webster, TX
Berkshire Endoscopy Center, LLC, Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA
Charlotte Surgery Center, Port Charlotte, FL
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Community Center for Digestive Care, Anderson, IN
Digestive Health Center, Akron, OH
Endoscopic Imaging Center, Overland Park, KS
Endoscopy Center at Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, OH
Endoscopy Center of North Baltimore, LLC, Towson, MD
Endoscopy Center of the Upstate, Greenville, SC
Endoscopy Unit Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT
Endo-Surgi Center, Union, NJ
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., Hickory, NC
Gastroenterology Consultants, Virginia Beach, VA
Gastroenterology Group of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Great Neck Endoscopy, Great Neck, NJ
Gulf Coast Endoscopy Center, Fort Meyers, FL
Highland Endoscopy Center, Malvern, PA
Huron Gastro, Ypsilanti, MI
Kettering Hospital GI Unit, Kettering, OH
Kinston Medical Specialists P.A., Kinston, NC
Lake Forest Endoscopy Center, LLC, Lake Forest, IL
Lincoln Endoscopy Center, LLC, Lincoln, NE
Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Meadowview Regional Medical Center, Maysville, KY
Medical Center Endoscopy, LLP, Houston, TX
Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center, Charleston, SC
Meridian Surgery Center, LLC, Meridian, MS
Methodist Endoscopy Center, San Antonio, TX
Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, NJ
Mountain View Endoscopy Center, Mountain View, CA
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Pasadena Endoscopy Center, Inc., Pasadena, CA
Permian Gastroenterology Associates, Odessa, TX
Reno Endoscopy Center, LLC, Reno, NV
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Endoscopy Department, New Brunswick, NJ
Robertson Surgical Center, LLC, Beverly Hills, CA
Saint Louis University, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Saint Louis, MO
Salem Gastroenterology Associates, P.A. Salem Endoscopy Center, Winston Salem, NC
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center, Santa Barbara, CA
Sierra Endoscopy Center, Inc., Grass Valley, CA
Southern California Medical Gastroenterology Group, Inc., Santa Monica, CA
Southwest Endoscopy, Albuquerque, NM
Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Tacoma Digestive Disease Center/Harbor Endoscopy Center, Tacoma, WA
The Endoscopy Center, Knoxville, TN
The Endoscopy Center of West Central Ohio, LLC, Lima, OH
The EndoSurgery Center, Petaluma, CA
The Lawrence Hospital Center, Bronxville, NY
The Maureen Egan Gastroenterology Unit, Newton Lower Falls, MA
The Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton, Hilton Head Island, SC
Trinity Mother Francis Endoscopy Center, Tyler, TX
United Medical Endoscopy Center, Lancaster, CA
University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, KS
Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Washington Square Endoscopy Center, Philadelphia, PA
Wellbrook Endoscopy Center, Conyers, GA
Westchester Endoscopy and Motility, PLLC, Bronxville, NY
Wichita Falls Endoscopy, Center Wichita Falls, TX

About the Program
To successfully complete the program and receive a Certificate of Recognition, a center must show proof of successful and current accreditation by a recognized accrediting body (AAAHC, Joint Commission); sign an attestation affirming that certain ASGE and CDC guidelines are adopted as minimum requirements of the unit policy; have a representative of the unit complete the ASGE Recognition Course, “Improving Quality and Safety In Your Endoscopy Unit;” and submit the application fee(s). The Certificate of Recognition award is granted for a three-year renewable period.

The program is applicable to all settings in the United States where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units, and stand-alone ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers.

As a benefit of successfully completing the program, endoscopy units will receive the ASGE Certificate of Recognition for Promoting Quality in Endoscopy, patient brochures - Ensuring the Safety of Your Endoscopic Procedure, access to advice from reprocessing experts and more. For a list of the full benefits, log on to www.asge.org.

ASGE and Quality
ASGE is the profession’s leader in setting standards of excellence in endoscopy through its safety guidelines and the training of its members so that patients receive the best and safest care possible. The Society constantly reinforces the importance of quality among its members through member communications, such as emails and newsletters, and its CME courses, including "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit.”

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Founded in 1941, the mission of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is to be the leader in advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with nearly 11,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit www.asge.org and www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information.

About Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by specially-trained physicians called endoscopists using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system. In many cases, screening or treatment of conditions can be delivered via the endoscope without the need for further sedation, treatment or hospital stay.

For more information, please contact:
Bay Area Gastroenterology P. A.
(281) 480-6264
https://gialliance.com/brand/bay-area-gastroenterology/

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