Colonoscopy, Time of Day, and Polyp Yield

Some studies have shown that as the endoscopy day and shift proceed, polyp and adenoma yields decline, presumably because of operator fatigue or rushing. One research group that previously reported this finding has now studied an intervention designed to reverse the trend.

Informational posters showing the negative relation between time of day and polyp yield were placed in endoscopy rooms at a California hospital. The intervention did not work: The drop-off in polyp and adenoma yields during the day was similar between the 3-month intervention period and an earlier control period.