Information is collected from the local hospital information systems on the patient undergoing the procedure, such as sex and age, along with more detailed information on the procedure itself. This information is currently collected in relation to four key quality areas:
1) Colonoscopy, 2) Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) 3) Sedation and 4) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (FSig).
A new key quality area is also under development at this time Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
These areas are broken down into nine key quality indicators (listed below) which are published in the national data report each year. Please click here for an explanation of these key quality indicators.
1.1 Colonoscopy
- Caecal Intubation Rate
- Polyp Detection Rate
- Comfort Score
- Bowel Preparation
1.2 Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD):
- Duodenal Second Part Intubation
- Retroflexion
1.3 Sedation:
The NEQI Programme analyses the use of two specific drugs: 1) Midazolam and 2) Fentanyl, which are used during both upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures.
1.4 Flexible Sigmoidoscopy(FSig):
The NEQI Programme only collects information on the number of flexible sigmoidoscopies that take place. This number is used to inform endoscopy departments and hospital management on the volume of this procedure that take place throughout a year.
1.5 Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
The NEQI Programme has just begun developing key quality indicators for this procedure. The collection of information relating to this procedure is expected to begin in 2025.
Each endoscopy unit collects the pieces of information that are needed for the Programme. An endoscopy nurse first reviews the data and then requests the consultant endoscopist to sign it off before it is sent to the HSE owned national database where the NEQI Programme has permission to access it.
All public and voluntary hospitals provide information for the NEQI Programme, this is a total of 36.
At this time, 15 private hospitals provide information for the programme, out of a possible total of 17.
No, the NEQI Programme does not collect any information that could identify an individual patient.
The NEQI Programme publishes a report every year on how endoscopy units have performed in terms of these key quality areas in the previous years, also providing a comparison over a number of years.
This is useful to see where endoscopy units have continuously improved over time but also to identify areas where more work is needed to reach targets.
This information can inform the endoscopy team and the hospital management where improvements to patient care are needed most.
All information collected by the NEQI Programme is stored in secure systems. The staff that handle the information are trained on how to comply with all relevant regulations on data protection.
No, this is not possible as the NEQI programme does not have any information that can be used to identify an individual patient.
No, this is not necessary as no personal information is used by the programme. Personal information is that which could identify a patient.