Accuracy of Referring Provider and Endoscopist Impressions of Colonoscopy Indication.

Background: Referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication are used for clinical care, reimbursement, and quality reporting decisions; however, the accuracy of these impressions is unknown. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of methods to classify colonoscopy indication, including referring provider impression, endoscopist impression, and administrative algorithm compared with gold standard chart review. Methods: We randomly sampled 400 patients undergoing a colonoscopy at a Veterans Affairs health system between January 2010 and December 2010. Referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication were compared with gold-standard chart review. Indications were classified into 4 mutually exclusive categories: diagnostic, surveillance, high-risk screening, or average-risk screening. Results: Of 400 colonoscopies, 26% were performed for average-risk screening, 7% for high-risk screening, 26% for surveillance, and 41% for diagnostic indications. Accuracy of referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication were 87% and 84%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the administrative algorithm (45%; P<.001 for both). There was substantial agreement between endoscopist and referring provider impressions (κ=0.76). All 3 methods showed high sensitivity (>90%) for determining screening (vs nonscreening) indication, but specificity of the administrative algorithm was lower (40.3%) compared with referring provider (93.7%) and endoscopist (84.0%) impressions. Accuracy of endoscopist, but not referring provider, impression was lower in patients with a family history of colon cancer than in those without (65% vs 84%; P=.001). Conclusions: Referring provider and endoscopist impressions of colonoscopy indication are both accurate and may be useful data to incorporate into algorithms classifying colonoscopy indication.

New anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents: a primer for the clinical gastroenterologist.

The discovery of the first oral anticoagulant, warfarin, was a milestone in anticoagulation. Warfarin's well-known limitations, however, have led to the recent development of more effective anticoagulants. The rapidly growing list of these drugs, however, presents a challenge to endoscopists who must treat patients on these sundry medications. This review is intended to summarize the pharmacological highlights of new anticoagulants, with particular attention to suggested "best-practice" recommendations for the withholding of these drugs before endoscopic procedures.

Successful Endoscopic Closure of Pyeloduodenal Fistula Using an Over-the-Scope Clip.

A 62-year-old woman underwent a series of urologic procedures for nephrolithiasis and was diagnosed with a pyeloduodenal fistula (PDF) on computed tomography urography. After the placement of a metallic ureteral stent and nephrostomy tube, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed to evaluate for PDF resolution. Two areas of mucosal defects within the anterior duodenal sweep were closed using the over-the-scope clip system and hemostasis clips. We review the literature and discuss the etiologies, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of PDF. This is the second documented case of endoscopic PDF closure using the over-the-scope clip system and the third case of endoscopically treated PDF.