GI Associates Nationally Recognized for Quality and Safety

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), a leading gastrointestinal medical society, has recognized GI Associates & Endoscopy Center as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States.

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It’s an honor to be recognized nationally by ASGE for providing excellent quality and safety in our endoscopy unit.

Jackson, MS (Vocus) August 31, 2010

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), a leading gastrointestinal medical society, has recognized GI Associates & Endoscopy Center as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. GI Associates & Endoscopy Center, with locations in Jackson, Madison and Vicksburg, Mississippi, is one of 215 endoscopy units in the United States to be granted the recognition since 2009. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing, and CDC infection control guidelines and have completed specialized training on principles in quality and safety in endoscopy.

“It’s an honor to be recognized nationally by ASGE for providing excellent quality and safety in our endoscopy unit,” said Ronald P. Kotfila, MD. Dr. Kotfila added, “We strive every day to provide the highest quality of care for our patients and will continue to seek ways to improve and fine-tune our practices and procedures to ensure our patients receive the best care possible.”

Upon completion of the program, units receive an ASGE “Certificate of Recognition” for promoting quality in endoscopy.

“ASGE is delighted to be recognizing these 215 endoscopy units, whose staff work hard every day to provide high-quality care to their patients in a safe environment,” said Bret T. Peterson, MD, FASGE, chairman, ASGE Quality Assurance in Endoscopy Committee. “There continues to be an outstanding response to this program. We are proud to acknowledge these ASGE members through our Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program for their commitment to promoting the highest standards of safety and quality.”

About the Program
To successfully complete the program and receive a Certificate of Recognition, a center must show proof of successful and current accreditation by a recognized accrediting body (AAAHC, Joint Commission); sign an attestation affirming that certain ASGE and CDC guidelines are adopted as minimum requirements of the unit policy; and have a representative of the unit complete the ASGE Recognition Course, “Improving Quality and Safety In Your Endoscopy Unit.” The Certificate of Recognition award is granted for a three-year renewable period.

The program is applicable to all settings in the United States where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units, and stand-alone ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers.

An important component of the program is an educational course that thoroughly reviews related guidelines. Honorees attended the “Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit” course held in Oak Brook, IL, in December 2009.

ASGE and Quality
ASGE is the profession’s leader in setting standards of excellence in endoscopy through its safety guidelines and the training of its members so that patients receive the best and safest care possible. The Society constantly reinforces the importance of quality among its members through member communications, such as emails and newsletters, and its CME courses, including “Improving Quality and Safety in Your Endoscopy Unit.”

GI Associates is the largest gastroenterology group in Mississippi and is one of the largest in the Southeast with over 100 employees including 17 gastroenterologists and two pathologists on staff. These physicians have a long-standing history of dealing with digestive disease management, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and preventative health care management. GI Associates has endoscopy centers and physician offices in Jackson, Madison and Vicksburg. For more information, contact the Jackson, Mississippi office at 601-355-1234 or visit our website at msgastrodocs.com.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

ASGE, with more than 11,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit http://www.asge.org and http://www.screen4coloncancer.org for more information and to find a qualified doctor in your area.

About GI Associates & Endoscopy Center
GI Associates & Endoscopy Center is the largest gastroenterology group in Mississippi and one of the largest in the Southeast. The group serves patients with 17 physicians at state-of-the-art facilities in Jackson, Madison and Vicksburg. For more information about GI Associates, visit msgastrodocs.com.

About Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by specially trained physicians called endoscopists, using the most current technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Using flexible, thin tubes called endoscopes, endoscopists are able to access the human digestive tract without incisions via natural orifices. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system.

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