Preparation and Patient Evaluation for Safe Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

• Published in: Clinical endoscopy Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 212 - 218
• Main Authors: Kang, Seong Hee, Hyun, Jong Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 01.05.2013; 대한소화기내시경학회
• Subjects: Review; 내과학; Endoscopy; Safety; Preparation; Patient evaluation
• ISSN: 2234-2400; 2234-2443
• DOI: 10.5946/ce.2013.46.3.212

Patient evaluation and preparation is the first and mandatory step to ensure safety and quality of endoscopic procedures. This begins and ends with identifying the patient, procedure type, and indication. Every patient has the right to be fully informed about risks and benefits of what is to be performed on them, and the medical personnel should respect the decision made by the patients. Thoroughly performed history taking and physical examination will guide the endoscopists to better stratify risk and plan sedation. Special attention should be given to higher-risk patients with higher-risk condition undergoing higher-risk procedures. Making preparations to monitor the patients and being ready to handle emergency situations throughout the endoscopic procedure are sine qua non to warrant safe endoscopy.