Patient safety and error management in endoscopy ATR Axon MD FRCP

Abstract This paper addresses the risk of complications in patients who undergo digestive endoscopy, the reasons why they arise and the precautions that should be taken to prevent them. It also considers issues relating to potential litigation and how to minimize this risk. The advice focuses on the importance of maintaining high-quality endoscopic practice including the day-to-day running of the service. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork, the preparation of in-house protocols, patient management before, during, and after the examination, and what measures should be taken in the event that problems do arise. It is an updated and expanded version of an invited lecture given at the Asian Pacific meeting in Bali in 2014 on behalf of the World Endoscopy Organization.