P4086 - “Up to Date”: A Quality Improvement Project for Printed Educational Material at a Tertiary VA Center

Ahmed Elkafrawy, MD¹, Shahana Prakash, MD¹, Mohammad S. Ansari, MD¹, Adrian Holm, DO^2
1University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA; ²Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, IA

Introduction: Patient education is a crucial part of delivering optimal medical care. Printed educational material (PEM) with visual aids is commonly used for patient education in Gastroenterology. The aim of this quality improvement project is to assess the accuracy of the information provided to patients, and to establish a process of periodic revision and update of disease-related PEM.

Methods: All PEM related to Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and procedures was collected. This PEM is usually provided to patients in the endoscopy unit and in the GI clinic. PEM is also available to primary care providers to share with patients. A rigorous review of literature and the most recent clinical practice guidelines by major GI societies was performed. All outdated and inaccurate data in the PEM was identified. A process to update outdated data and to ensure periodic review of PEM was established.

Results: A total of 48 GI-related PEM was reviewed. Procedure-related PEM, such as procedure description, pre-procedure and post-procedure instructions represented 62.5% (N=30) of all PEM. About 37.5% (N=18) of the PEM were related to diagnosis and management of common GI diseases. 19% of all PEM and 50% of disease-related PEM contained either outdated or inaccurate information (N=9). A two-phase process to update the PEM was established. Phase I aimed to correct and update all outdated data in accordance with the most recent clinical practice guidelines and in collaboration with the medical media division. Phase II was to establish a process to ensure periodic review of all PEM. Phase II included adding a footnote in each PEM indicating when it was last reviewed by a medical provider. A reminder will be sent every 3 years to the GI division and to the medical media division to ensure a periodic review of all PEM by a medical provider.

Discussion: PEM plays an important role in patient education in the field of Gastroenterology. However, they may contain outdated information that may have a negative impact on patient care. A process to ensure periodic revision and update of all PEM by a medical provider should be established in each institution.


Disclosures:


Ahmed Elkafrawy, MD¹, Shahana Prakash, MD¹, Mohammad S. Ansari, MD¹, Adrian Holm, DO². P4086 - “Up to Date”: A Quality Improvement Project for Printed Educational Material at a Tertiary VA Center, ACG 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Vancouver, BC, Canada: American College of Gastroenterology.