Metro Gastroenterology Associates Tops U.S. Average in Colonoscopy Quality
Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates is the top provider of quality colon cancer screening in the Crescent City and one of the leading centers in the United States. Our centers in Metairie, Westbank and Uptown are nationally renowned for our highly-trained specialists who deliver premier digestive care.
Why can we use these elite terms? When it comes to colonoscopy, the truth is in the numbers.
We use the premier GI quality registry, GIQuIC, to track three quality colonoscopy measures and compare them to the benchmarks established by the American College of Gastroenterology. MGA’s 2017 quality measures exceed national standards and far surpass other GI centers in southeastern Louisiana. Our numbers are some of the most competitive in the country.
Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates is proud to share our GIQuIC measures to prove our expertise in colon cancer detection and prevention.
Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) Matters
The goal of a colonoscopy is to examine the colon for precancerous polyps called adenomas and remove them. Your physician’s level of proficiency in adenoma detection and removal is paramount because adenomas have the potential to be cancerous. A removed adenoma, however, is no longer a cancer threat.
Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) refers to the percentage of patients in whom a GI doctor detects one or more adenomas in screening colonoscopies. Therefore, adenoma detection rate (ADR) is the premier quality indicator in colonoscopies.
The national benchmark for ADR is 25 percent (30 percent for men and 20 percent for women). The MGA centers have an overall average ADR of 39.49 percent.
How ADR Affects Your Risk for Colon Cancer
Choosing an MGA physician with a high ADR lowers your risk of colon cancer. Studies show that for every percentage point increase in your doctor’s adenoma detection rate, your chance of developing colon cancer during the next twelve months decreases by three percent.
Gastro Doctor’s Cecal Intubation Rate Matters
Cecal intubation rate is the second qualifying measure of colonoscopy quality. The cecum is the small pouch connected to the junction of the small intestine and the colon. Cecal intubation rate is the percentage of procedures during which a gastroenterologist can visualize the cecum during the screening.
MGA centers have an average cecal intubation rate of 97.80 percent, compared to the national average of 90 percent.
How Cecal Intubation Rate Affects Colon Cancer Risk
A high cecal intubation rate indicates that, in most colonoscopy patients, the gastroenterologist can examine the entire colon for precancerous polyps, from the cecum to rectum. Choosing an MGA physician for your colonoscopy means you will have a thorough, comprehensive screening and a reduced risk of missed adenomas.
GI Doctor’s Withdrawal Time Matters
The third quality measure is withdrawal time, the amount of time it takes for your doctor to withdraw the colonoscope from the cecum (the farthest region of the colon) to the rectum (the end of the colon). A meticulous physician who is attentive to detail usually has a longer average withdrawal time.
The national benchmark for withdrawal time is six minutes, but MGA centers have an average withdrawal time of 7.1 minutes.
How GI Specialist’s Withdrawal Time Affects Colon Cancer Risk
Some adenomas are flat, which makes them difficult to detect. MGA specialists are methodical and exacting, meaning they are less likely to miss a small or hidden polyp. Longer withdrawal times are associated with higher adenoma detection rates, which reduces your risk for colon disease.
Schedule Your Colonoscopy with a GI Doctor Near You
MGA is dedicated to providing you with a quality colonoscopy with compassionate, personalized care. We have Gastrointestinal Diagnostic and Therapeutic Centers conveniently located in Metairie, Westbank and Uptown, and all centers are accepting new patients in the Greater New Orleans region. Each outpatient facility is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and utilizes the most advanced GI technology in the industry.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that a colonoscopy is a life-saving procedure. After all, it’s the only type of colon cancer screening that can prevent colon cancer. If you are not considered high-risk, you may only need a colonoscopy once every ten years. Call Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates and put your digestive health in the hands of our experts.