Tips About Health Care and Medical

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that as the day goes on, doctors who perform colonoscopies are less likely to spot suspicious polyps. The investigators looked at the results of nearly 1,100 colonoscopies and noted the time of day the procedures were performed. They found that at least one polyp was identified in 42 percent of the colonoscopies but that for each hour later in the day, the number of polyps seen dropped by four percent. The probable reason? Doctors' fatigue. However, the investigators noted that the chief reason for missing polyps is still improper bowel cleansing by patients in preparation for the exam. They also advised prospective patients to query the doctor who will be performing the colonoscopy, make sure that he or she is aware of the study, and ask them what can be done to compensate for factors that may lead to missing polyps. The study was published on March 29, 2011 by the American Journal of Gastroenterology.