A survey of sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy

Objective To investigate the popularity of the sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy in ma- inland China. Methods The survey on the popularity of the sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy was conduc- ted with questionnaires sent by e-mails or telephones to the GI endoscopy units of three levels of hospitals. Results From May, 2010 to November, 2010, 169 units from 28 provinces （90. 3% ） were enrolled, including 46 hospitals of grade Ⅲ, 91 of grade Ⅱ and 32 of grade Ⅰ. Sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed in 110 （65.1%, 110/169） hospitals, i. e. 93.5% （43/46） grade m hospitals, 68.1% （62/91） grade Ⅱ hospitals and 15.6% （5/32） grade Ⅰ hospitals. Significant difference was observed between the grade Ⅲ and the grade Ⅱ hospitals （ P 〈 0. 05 ） , so was between the grade Ⅱ and the grade Ⅰ hospitals （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. Propofol was frequently used in sedation in 98 hospitals （ 89. 1% ）. The only 9. 1% （10/110） hospitals, which had full-time anesthetists or anesthetic nurses, were all grade Ⅲ hospitals. Conclusion There has been great progress in the popularity of sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy in mainland China during the past decade. However, it is less frequently performed in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ hospitals. Shortage of full-time anesthetists is still a problem. Key words: Gastrointestinal endoscopes ;  Sedation ;  Survey report