| Description |
In gastrointestinal (GI) specialty areas, advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) are currently performing flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) for diagnosing colon cancer. Should other endoscopic procedures, i.e., colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), also be considered part of the APRN role? Questionnaires were mailed to APRNs belonging to the National Society of Gastrointestinal Nurses and Assistants. Questions pertained to current activities, interest in performing GI endoscopic procedures, and barriers to performing GI endoscopic procedures along with participants demographics. Over 70% of respondents approved of nurses performing diagnostic endoscopic procedures, yet 80.6% did not think that APRNs should perform therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Training opportunities were limited but most common for FS (n = 19). Five of the respondents were performing endoscopic procedures, mainly FS, with two of these performing colonoscopy and EGD. The barriers listed as the number one barrier to performing endoscopic procedures included liability (n = 24), third-party reimbursement (n = 14), lack of physician support (n = 11), lack of policies (n = 8); and lack of education (n = 7). APRNs should develop policies and establish acceptable training guidelines and competency rates in performing GI endoscopic procedures. |
