Surveillance intervals after polyp removal are among the most frequently wrong recommendations in practice — often too short, sometimes forgotten entirely. When you receive a colonoscopy report with polyps removed, check that it states the number, size and histology of the adenomas and the recommended interval, and put that interval into the patient's record and recall system. If histology was pending at the time of the report, make sure someone owns the final decision. A patient who knows why they need a repeat colonoscopy, and when, is much more likely to attend.
- Record number, size and histology of removed adenomas in the patient's notes.
- Enter the surveillance date in a recall system, not just the letter.
- Confirm who makes the final interval decision if histology was pending.
- Tell the patient the interval and the reason for it.
Why it matters
Intervals only save lives if they are acted on, and the handover is where they are lost.
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