Space and facilities of endoscopy units
Statement: Endoscopy procedures should be performed in purpose-designed units that provide
facilities for the procedure itself (including reprocessing), for patient preparation, general patient care,
monitoring, sedation and recovery as well as for the management of adverse events. Endoscopy nurses
should be involved in the planning of an endoscopy service because of their expertise and experience.
Discussion. National and international societies have developed quality frameworks for Endoscopy
units which underline the need of purpose-designed units [13–18]. Endoscopy units can be established
in hospitals, primary care or ambulatory endoscopy centres. The quality of endoscopy facilities should
be the same irrespective where endoscopy is carried out [19].
The number of rooms in Endoscopy units differs according to the focus, size and location of
departments with roughly one procedure room per 1000 examination/year [20,21]. The number of
supporting rooms (e.g. forwaiting, assessment and preparation, recovery and discharge, toilet facilities,
reprocessing and decontamination rooms, administration and staff rooms) need to be in proportion to
the number of procedures rooms and patients seen [20].
Good structural requirements (rooms, facilities, staff) increase the likelihood of good process’ and
ultimately a good outcome [2]. The British Global Rating Scale (GRS) identifies measurable indicators
for structure quality, which could be used as universal quality indicators for any endoscopy unit. (see