In recent years, the healthcare system has seen an increasing demand for specialists, leading nurses to assume more tasks typically performed by physicians. Studies have shown that nurses can be valuable members of the medical staff performing endoscopic procedures. Specifically, research supports the involvement of nurses in reading capsule endoscopy results, with positive results in terms of cost and diagnostic accuracy. This article explores the role of nurses in capsule endoscopy and the measures required to ensure their effectiveness.
Endoscopic procedures have been a vital tool in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Capsule endoscopy (CE) is one of the most recent endoscopic technologies, that allows for the visualization of the small intestine, a previously inaccessible area. The demand for endoscopic procedures has increased, leading to a shortage of specialized physicians. This demand has resulted in an opportunity for nurses to assume more responsibilities traditionally performed by physicians.
Studies have shown that nurses can be valuable members of the medical staff performing endoscopic procedures, including CE. Nurses can perform comprehensive exams, from discussing the benefits and risks of the examination to completing the endoscopy report and providing further advice. Moreover, research has shown that nurses can read or pre-read CE videos, resulting in positive cost and diagnostic accuracy outcomes.
Proper training and formal credentialing are essential for nurses to reach the level of endoscopists trained specifically in CE. Nurses require comprehensive training in CE procedures, including the proper use of the capsule endoscope and reading of the results. Studies have shown that nurses can achieve diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of physicians trained in CE after appropriate training.
While research supports the more active role of nurses in reading capsule endoscopy results, measures of effectiveness must be considered. These measures include the percentage of procedures performed, diagnoses made, and post-procedure satisfaction ratings. Achieving diagnostic accuracy is a complicated process in any medical field and often requires seeking a second opinion.
In conclusion, nurses can play a valuable role in capsule endoscopy procedures, including reading or pre-reading CE videos. Proper training and formal credentialing are essential to ensure their effectiveness. Nurses should be given the opportunity to assume more responsibilities, and it is crucial to recognize the potential contribution of nurses in the health care system. Further research is required to explore the potential of nurses in endoscopic procedures and to define their role in the medical staff.
BioCam is a company established in May 2019 and based in Wrocław, Poland. We popularize patient-friendly examination of the whole gastrointestinal tract using our own capsule endoscopy platform, based on AI technology. We believe that with our solution, capsule endoscopy will be a go-to examination of the whole gastrointestinal tract.
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