Promoting efficiency in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

High-quality gastrointestinal endoscopy is now a primary screening modality for public health purposes, and essential service for outpatient and intensive hospital settings, a specialty endeavor for nurses and physicians, and a big business. Efficiency, therefore, is valued by many interested parties including patients, physicians, and payers. Optimal design of facilities and services and professional administration for efficiency, quality, and safety are important to its success on each of these levels. This article discusses efficiency in the management and performance of gastrointestinal endoscopy, namely enhancement of productivity, or work performed per unit of time or expense.