Quality in Capsule Endoscopy

Small bowel video capsule endoscopy (SB-VCE) is an increasingly utilized method to assess for a number of small bowel pathologies including gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel inflammation, and malignancies of the small bowel, via direct mucosal visualization. Though SB-VCE is now widely used, there are a number of considerations for providers to ensure that this technology is being employed to provide high-quality clinical care. Clinicians should be familiar with the particular capsule systems used at their institution. Prior to SB-VCE, clinicians should pay special attention to procedural indications, contraindications, patient selection, and pre-procedural preparation. Those performing SB-VCE should also be familiar with the use of complementary testing modalities such as endoscopy and imaging, in order to optimize the clinical utility of the technology. Clinicians who read SB-VCE should meet the minimum requirements for competency in SB-VCE recommended by various gastroenterology societies. Standard language and landmark identification should consistently be included as part of results reporting, and recommendations regarding next steps in patients’ evaluation should be provided whenever possible. In adhering to these standards, institutions can establish a high-quality SB-VCE program positioned to provide exceptional care in this area.