Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center Earns Prestigious Recognition For Quality and Safety From American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

San Luis Obispo, Calif. – Dec. 19, 2019 – Tenet Health Central Coast’s Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo has been recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) for demonstrative commitment to patient safety and quality in endoscopy as verified by meeting the ASGE’s rigorous criteria.

The recognition is esteemed, sought-after and elite: not only is Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center the only hospital in San Luis Obispo County to have achieved this honor, it is the only Central Coast facility between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties to have received this recognition. In fact, there are only 35 endoscopy units in California that qualified for the ASGE recognition as of December 2019.

The importance of quality Gastrointestinal Endoscopy to the public is in its wide-ranging benefits: it not only plays a critical role in identifying various cancers, it enhances a wide variety of other procedures for the esophagus, stomach and colon. Significantly, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is more accurate than X-ray films for detecting inflammation, ulcers and tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

“In contrast to some report cards and star systems out there that sometimes rely on old data, this recognition is current, has a peer-review process, and uses quality and competence measures,” said Mark Lisa, CEO of Tenet Health Central Coast. “Therefore, it is particularly significant to have earned this ASGE recognition. We are tremendously proud of the commitment and hard work of our staff, and the leadership of Doug Roewer, our Clinical Nurse Supervisor for GI Services.”

The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program (EURP) includes following the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscope reprocessing, CDC infection control guidelines and ensuring endoscopy staff competency.

The process includes measuring the continued competence of all staff relative to their roles, demonstrating the adoption of unit policies specific to ongoing assessment of performance relative to key quality indicators, and established infrastructure and personnel dedicated to infection control and prevention. The certificate is granted for a three-year, renewable period.

“It is a lot of work to achieve this, and it is a coveted distinction, so this is phenomenal and prestigious,” said Mick Meiselman, M.D., ASGE Foundation Treasurer. “It is prestigious among both medical professionals and the patient community. It’s a true recognition of making patient safety and value better.”