Therapeutic Research

Abstract

Five years have passed since our municipality introduced population–based endoscopic screening for gastric cancer. This screening is conducted as an individual examination at a certified medical institution, rather than in a group format using specific examination facilities or examination vehicles. As with many other municipalities, this screening project has been introduced, involving many issues such as securing medical examiners and secondary image interpreters, standard procedures for endoscopy, cleaning and disinfection of endoscopic equipment, and construction of accuracy control system, and handling of accidents. From the beginning of its introduction, it was difficult to set up a complete system based on “checklists for management evaluation” and “process indicators”. Although some contents were given to forms that suit down to conditions of our municipality at the beginning, we are continuously discussing to ensure in management committee that the implementation is in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the “Population –based endoscopic screening for gastric cancer Manual 2017 Edition”. Therefore, we described the efforts, current status, assignment, and future outlook for the implementation of population –based endoscopic screening for gastric cancer in our municipality over the past five years.