South Middlesex Times

Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., recently had its Endoscopy Unit's three-year recognition renewed by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). This honor is part of ASGE's program aimed at enhancing quality and safety in endoscopy throughout the United States. Since its inception in 2019, more than 600 endoscopy units, including the one at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, have received this recognition.

The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program acknowledges units that demonstrate a commitment to patient safety and quality in endoscopy. Criteria for recognition include adherence to ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscope reprocessing, CDC infection control guidelines, and maintaining staff competency.

Arkady Broder, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, expressed satisfaction over this acknowledgment: “It’s an honor for our team to be recognized once again by ASGE for our efforts to enhance quality and safety for our patients."

To qualify for recognition by ASGE, units undergo a peer-reviewed application process. This involves demonstrating continued staff competence, adopting policies for performance assessment, and establishing infrastructure for infection control. The program applies to all endoscopy practices, including office-based and hospital-based units, as well as ambulatory surgery centers.

The program includes an educational component titled "Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit." Successful participants receive a three-year renewable ASGE Certificate of Recognition of Quality in Endoscopy. For more details, visit www.asge.org.

Joe Elmunzer, MD, chair of the ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee, stated, “We are proud to acknowledge these endoscopy units...for their commitment to promoting the highest standards of quality and safety."

To schedule an appointment at Saint Peter’s, visit saintpetershcs.com/endoscopy.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and has several notable achievements. It received a Magnet hospital designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is recognized for nursing excellence. It is a regional specialist in various fields, including gastroenterology, and has a state-designated children's hospital. Saint Peter’s runs several residency programs and is affiliated with Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. More details can be found at saintpetershcs.com.

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, established in 1941, promotes excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy and has over 16,000 members worldwide. It is a key resource for endoscopic education and patient care standards. More information is available at ASGE.org.