Endoscopy services are the cornerstone of diagnosis and treatment in gastroenterology.
Over the past 100 years, there has been a dramatic and explosive growth of information and
technology related to the science and practice of gastroenterology. The endoscopy nurse is
responsible for ensuring patient‘s physical safety and psychological well-being before, during
and after endoscopy procedure to prevent any hazards or avoidable complications. Objective:
To assess safety nursing measures applied for the patients undergoing upper Gastrointestinal
(GI) endoscopy. Settings: The study was carried out at 18 gastroenterology endoscopy units,
12 units in Alexandria governorate and 6 units in Damanhour city. Subjects: Subjects
comprised all nurses working in the previously mentioned settings total of 50 nurses who
embraced 32 and 18 in Alexandria and Damanhour respectively. Tools: Two tools were
developed to collect the necessary data; Upper (GI) Endoscopy Unit Assessment Checklist
and Upper (GI) Endoscopy Safety Nursing Measures Observational Checklist. Results: A
statistically significant correlation between training and performance of safety nursing
measures after endoscopy was revealed. Practice of nurses' with bachelor degree illustrated
higher safety measures than those with technical and secondary schools diploma before and
after the upper GI endoscopy procedure. Technical nurses' illustrated higher safety measures
during the procedure than the other nurses. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the highest
available and adequate upper gastrointestinal endoscopy unit's physical setup structure and
facilities were found in the private hospitals and clinics followed by health insurance,
university and governmental hospitals respectively. Moreover, the Practice of nurses' who
received pre and in-service training related to GI endoscopy procedure, illustrated more
safety measures than those who didn't receive such training programs. Recommendations: It
was recommended to promote gastrointestinal endoscopy unit with the necessary units'
physical structure design and facilities in order to reach the optimal standard. As well; the
provision of pre-service and in-service training programs for nurses working in those Upper
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy units is very important to maintain safety nursing measures for
patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.