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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2014; 5(4): 462-466
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.462
Quality of care in Crohn's disease
Govind K Makharia
Govind K Makharia, Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India
Author contributions: Makharia GK solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Govind K Makharia, MD, DM, DNB, MNAMS, Additional Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India. govindmakharia@gmail.com
Telephone: +91-11-26588091 Fax: +91-11-26588641
Received: January 23, 2014
Revised: July 24, 2014
Accepted: August 27, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Processing time: 300 Days and 7.7 Hours
Abstract

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease of the intestine. Overall, healthcare delivery for patients with CD is not optimal at the present time and therefore needs improvement. There are evidences which suggest that there is a variation in the care provided to patients with CD by the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experts and community care providers. The delivery of healthcare for patients with CD is often complex and requires coordination between gastroenterologists/IBD specialist, gastrointestinal surgeon, radiologists and IBD nurses. In order to improve the quality of health care for patients with CD, there is need that we focus on large-scale, system-wide changes including creation of IBD comprehensive care units, provision to provide continuous care, efforts to standardize care, and education of the community practitioners.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Quality assurance; Quality indicators; Outcome; Comprehensive care units; Quality improvement

Core tip: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the intestine. Overall, healthcare delivery for patients with CD is not optimal at the present time and therefore needs improvement; Despite availability of national and international practice guidelines, there is a variation in the care provided to patients with CD; There is a need to develop well defined quality indicators which assures delivery of adequate care of the disease.