A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE RESULTS IN IMPROVED RATES OF TIMELY POST-VARICEAL BLEEDING SURVEILLANCE ENDOSCOPY

OBJECTIVES: We performed a study to assess the effects of a quality improvement (QI) initiative on the rates of postvariceal bleeding surveillance upper endoscopy (EGD). METHODS: We identified patients with cirrhosis hospitalized with variceal bleeding and assessed the rates of timely (<= 4 weeks) EGD before and after a QI initiative. RESULTS: Preintervention: 16% (5 of 32) of patients underwent timely surveillance EGD. We developed a standardized ordering template for gastroenterology fellows and reserved postvariceal EGD scheduling slots. Postintervention: 43% (12 of 28) of patients underwent timely surveillance EGD. DISCUSSION: A QI intervention was associated with a 27% absolute increase in timely surveillance EGDs.