Comprehensive Safety Protocols for Gastroenterology Practices

1. Infection Prevention and Control

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• N95 respirators for aerosol-generating procedures
• Disposable gowns and gloves
• Eye protection during endoscopic procedures
• Face shields for high-risk procedures

Hand Hygiene

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (>60% alcohol)
• Proper handwashing technique implementation
• Strategic placement of hygiene stations

2. Endoscopy Suite Safety

Equipment Reprocessing

• High-level disinfection protocols
• Automated endoscope reprocessors (AER) maintenance
• Documentation of reprocessing steps
• Quality control monitoring

Medication Safety

• Proper labeling of all medications
• Double-verification of high-risk medications
• Sedation monitoring protocols
• Emergency medication accessibility

3. Patient Monitoring

Pre-Procedure

• Vital signs documentation
• Medical history review
• Medication reconciliation
• Informed consent verification

During Procedure

• Continuous pulse oximetry
• Blood pressure monitoring
• ECG monitoring when indicated
• Sedation level assessment

4. Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Equipment

• Crash cart maintenance
• Defibrillator checks
• Emergency medication inventory
• Oxygen supply verification

Staff Training

• BLS/ACLS certification
• Emergency response drills
• Code blue protocols
• Evacuation procedures

5. Quality Assurance

Documentation

• Incident reporting system
• Safety metrics tracking
• Regular safety audits
• Performance improvement initiatives

Staff Education

• Annual safety training
• Competency assessments
• Protocol updates review
• New equipment training