Measure: Adenoma Polyp Detection Rate

Rationale: Not all polyps develop into cancer, but colon cancer develops from an adenoma (benign) polyp. Therefore, it is important to find and remove these polyps prior to developing into cancer. The national quality standard states, for specific populations, the physician should have a polyp detection rate (percentage of people who have one or more polyps).

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Measure: Reaching the beginning of the colon (cecal intubation rate)

Rationale: Measuring how often a doctor is able to reach the beginning of the colon, or cecum (where the small intestine and the colon meet), is also used to assess exam quality. The ability to reach the cecum ensures that a colonoscopy exam is complete, and that the entire colon has been visualized and inspected. When the cecum is not reached during a colonoscopy, there is an increased risk for missing lesions that may be in the area of the colon that was not visualized.

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Measure: Withdrawal time

Rationale: Studies have shown that the more time a doctor takes to examine the colon as the endoscope (tube) is withdrawn, the better. A recent assessment of this practice found that the doctors who took 6 or more minutes to withdraw the endoscope identified significantly more polyps than those who took less time.