[Capsule endoscopy in a supra-regional network corporation: experience in more than 1000 cases].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is firmly established as a standard procedure in the diagnostic algorithm of mid gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Despite its excellent diagnostic yield, missing expertise, reading time and financial expenditure limit an area-wide availability. A multicentric cooperation might compensate these disadvantages.

METHODS:

The CE device was bought by a centrally located hospital (CH). CE-equipment is transported to the network partner (NP) on request and the procedure performed at the spot. Video reading is exclusively done in the CH.

RESULTS:

Between January 2002 and July 2013, 1026 CE (548 m, 478f; 64 ± 16, 13 - 93 yrs.) were performed within the network. 744/1026 (73 %) CE were done at 17 NP, 282/1026 (27 %) in the CH. Between 2002 (n = 39) and 2012 (n = 136) the annual number of CE increased threefold. Leading indication for CE was suspected mid GI-bleeding (80 %). Mean latencies between requested date and actual examination were less than 24 h and 2 days between CE performance and report. 95 % of the capital investment in each cooperating hospital could be avoided by sharing one workstation within the network.

CONCLUSION:

The experience from more than 1000 CE show that long-term multicentric utilization of CE equipment is feasible. Such a network runs at stable procedural quality levels similar to an in-house supply, allows an economic as well as area-wide availability of CE and improves reading expertise by centralized video evaluation.

• Authors: M J Farnbacher, A F Hagel, M Keles, M Meier, T Schneider
• Journal: Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie (Z Gastroenterol) Vol. 52 Issue 9 Pg. 1066-74 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1439-7803 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Moderne medizinische Versorgungsstrukturen am Beispiel der Videokapselendoskopie: Erfahrungen aus über 1000 Untersuchungen in einem überregionalen Netzwerk.
• PMID: 25198086 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
• Copyright: © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Topics

• Capsule Endoscopy (statistics & numerical data)
• Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (epidemiology, pathology)
• Germany (epidemiology)
• Health Services Accessibility (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Prevalence
• Private Sector (statistics & numerical data)
• Regional Medical Programs (statistics & numerical data)
• Utilization Review