Variation among endoscopy units in the achievement of the standards of colonoscopic performance indicators.

Background/aims: To assess the achievement of quality standards of colonoscopy at six endoscopy units.

Methodology: Three indicators were used to assess the quality of 1056 colonoscopies performed at six hospitals: cecal intubation; adequate colon cleansing; and removal and recovery of all detected polyps. Analyses were performed on the total number of colonoscopies and on colonoscopies in which polyps were actually detected.