Successful applicants to the ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program submit a summary of a recently conducted quality improvement (QI) project as part of the application process. The quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) project in the spotlight this month looked at improving patient understanding of anesthesia side effects and discharge instructions.
Define: The Endoscopy staff identified an opportunity to improve patient care and reduce potential complications through the improvement of patient satisfaction scores, obtained via a national patient survey. The staff identified inconsistencies in patient understanding regarding both anesthesia side effects and discharge instructions. The goals of this quality improvement project were to improve patient satisfaction scores in key survey areas including, “Overall facility rating”, “Anesthesia information easy to understand”, “Anesthesia side effects easy to understand”, “Instructions regarding recovery”, and “Response to concerns/complaints.” By improving patient satisfaction, patient safety will be enhanced, leading to a higher quality of patient care provided.
Measure: Baseline data was obtained from June 2025 – August 2025. Data was easily accessible via the Press Ganey website. Survey scores and patient comments were reviewed. Baseline data showed patient satisfaction scores in the 38th percentile with 88% of patients rating the facility a 9 or 10. The data and survey scores were shared with the entire Endoscopy team at a quarterly staff meeting held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The team developed a list of priority interventions, which were implemented beginning October 1, 2025. These interventions targeted patient education, improved patient follow-up, and enhanced communication and teamwork.
Analyze: Factors that contributed to our baseline data related to poor communication, knowledge gaps with both patients and staff, and competing staff priorities. This project aimed to improve the level of communication and understanding for both staff and patients, while also committing to enhanced teamwork to reduce staff workload. Quality improvement methods utilized were Press Ganey reports, monthly tracking of interventions, and review of progress during staff huddles and meetings.
Improve: The following interventions were implemented beginning in October 2025:
- Development of a daily task list to enhance teamwork and ensure that job duties are shared evenly amongst staff
- Completion of daily preoperative calls (Target = ≥ 80% of daily calls attempted)
- Preoperative education reinforced through use of a discharge magnet
- Completion of outpatient rounding by the endoscopy charge nurses (Target = 40 rounds completed monthly)
- Completion of postoperative discharge calls (Target = ≥ 75% of patients reached)
The implementation period lasted from October 2025 – December 2025. Beginning in January 2026, data on successful completion of interventions and patient survey scores were tracked. In all categories, targets were successfully met or exceeded.
Reinforced Interventions:
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Patient Satisfaction Scores (Baseline vs. 2026 Quarter 1 and 2026 YTD):
Summary: The outcomes following successful completion of our quality improvement project were immense. Not only were all interventions reinforced, but patient satisfaction scores remain at the highest percentage over the past five years. Patient safety, communication, teamwork, and quality of care were all enhanced because of this project. Patients now have a better understanding of both anesthesia side effects and discharge instructions, leading to lower complications and adverse events. The endoscopy staff have shown greater teamwork skills following implementation of the daily task list and commitment to completing the above interventions daily.
Barriers existed throughout this project, mainly due to the complexity of endoscopic procedures, high patient volumes, and both patient and staff distractions. Financial benefits and cost savings were another outcome of this project, as both no show and cancellation rates were reduced, due to increased communication between patients and the department. Findings of this project were communicated during weekly staff huddles and staff meetings held in March and June of 2026. These improvements are sustainable given the success of all interventions and commitment of the entire team.
We hope sharing this project summary will be useful to you and your practice. Learn more about gaining honoree status in the ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program. EURP honoree units may use the ASGE Quality Star logo in promotion of their units and enjoy a range of additional benefits. Questions should be directed to eurp@asge.org.