British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Quality Improvement Programme: minimum service standards and good practice statements

Abstract

In 2014, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) published a standards framework outlining key performance indicators for ERCP practitioners and services. In the last 10 years there have been numerous changes to clinical practice yet there remains considerable variation in service delivery in the UK. In 2021 the BSG commissioned an ERCP endoscopy quality improvement project (EQIP) comprising members from all relevant stakeholding groups. This document draws from the results of a national survey of ERCP practitioners and units performed in 2022/23 supported by detailed stakeholder interviews. These results informed a draft document and series of statements that were revised at 2 group meetings and through several iterations. Each statement was included only after achieving 100% consensus from all participants. This service specification has set out 70 consensus statements covering the patient journey from booking to discharge and follow up, the members of the ERCP team, requirements for continued professional development and clinical governance, equipment and facilities and network provision and MDT working. This document describes the key components of a high quality and safe ERCP Service, seen from the patient’s perspective. It provides a detailed template for service delivery that should now be implemented by ERCP practitioners and units through the UK and should be used by ERCP providers and commissioners to benchmark services and guide continuous quality improvement.