975 A Re-Audit on Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in a Surgical Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Sri Lanka

Aim This re-audit assessed changes in colonoscopy preparation practices at a Sri Lankan tertiary care hospital, aligning with ESGE guidelines. The primary goal was to gauge adherence improvements after introducing a protocol and educational initiatives. Method Conducted from May to July 2023, the initial audit identified deficiencies, leading to protocol development based on ESGE guidelines. Educational initiatives for nursing and junior staff were implemented, adjusting split-dose timing, discontinuing enema use, and providing clear instructions. A re-audit from August to October 2023 assessed the impact, analysing records through descriptive statistics. Results The re-audit revealed substantial improvements in colonoscopy preparation adherence to ESGE recommendations. The total number of patients undergoing the procedure was 88 in the initial audit and 96 in the re-audit. Adherence to a low fibre diet rose from 22.72% (n=20) to 90.62% (n=87), and compliance with enhanced instructions improved from 14.7% (n=13) to 70.8% (n=69). Routine enema use was eliminated (0% to 100%). Compliance for split-dose preparation increased from 42.04% (n=37) to 81.25% (n=78), and last dose timing within 5 hours improved similarly. Specific instructions to patients and clinic staff significantly improved from 28.4% (n=25) to 97.9% (n=94). Conclusions In conclusion, the re-audit emphasizes significant improvements in colonoscopy preparation, highlighting the positive impact of introduced changes. These findings underscore the effectiveness of evidence-based guidelines, education, and continuous audits. Implementing a checklist, staff, and patient education has proven essential for transforming and enhancing bowel preparation quality. These simple yet focused measures are essential in transforming and streamlining the quality of bowel preparation.