Endoscope advancement and manipulation by the endoscopy technician or registered nurse in the endoscopy unit has long been a sensitive issue. Facilities have inadvertently increased the anxieties, fears, and apprehension of the staff by allowing advanced skill techniques to be performed without appropriate guidelines, protocols, and competencies. Limited literature and hands on experience are available to provide adequate training or resources for nurses or technicians engaged in this role while physicians engaged in endoscopy typically receive hundreds of thousands of hands-on experiences, presentations, and continued education prior to being deemed competent by peers to perform such complicated techniques. As a result, tools for the trade need to be developed and refined to establish consistency among facility types and regions.

Section Description

We are pleased to present the abstracts from SGNA's 33rd Annual Course, SGNA on a Mission: Exceeding Expectations. The diversity of these topics certainly reflects the richness and breadth of our specialty. In keeping with the tradition of the Annual Course, we hope the following abstracts will encourage discussions for improving nursing practice and patient care outcomes.