Trial Feasibility of Home Delivery of Colon Capsule Endoscopy Service With the Help of 5 G Technology

Overview

Patients without alarming symptoms are at low risk of bowel cancer . However, in majority of those patients colonoscopy (gold standard) is needed to diagnose colorectal cancer or other non-neoplastic conditions such as Inflammatory bowel disease . Evaluation of patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms ( low-intermediate risk group) represent significant pressure for colonoscopy services . At the end of August 2019 there were a total 44,388 patients still waiting for colonoscopy. Covid 19 pandemic has placed significant pressure on healthcare systems since March 2020.The aerosol generating potential of endoscopy has led to multiple Gastroenterology and Endoscopy societies suggesting immediate cessation of all but emergency colonoscopy during the peak phase of the pandemic which put colonoscopy capacity even more under pressure Data from the National Endoscopy Database indicate that total endoscopic activity fell rapidly to 5% of normal levels during the peak phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK (from approximately 35 000 reported procedures per week to 1700, for the week ending 13 April . In order to reduce potential diagnostic delays as a result of COVID pandemic , the role of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) as a non invasive diagnostic test is being increasingly recognise, which allows for a pain-free colonic assessment by eliminating the need for instrument insertion, gas insufflation or sedation . The aim of the 5G SUCCEEDS study is to trial feasibility of home delivery of Colon Capsule Endoscopy service with the help of 5 G technology. Currently patients need to attend hospital to access this service.

According to the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), CCE can be used in average-risk patients for CRC screening and as an adjunctive test in patients with a prior incomplete Colonoscopy, or in whom the latter is contraindicated or refused CCE. Therefore, it is a potentially beneficial method of investigating patients by reducing the pressure on the restricted endoscopy services in the post-COVID era. In line with that, the NHS England is implementing a pilot project of CCE in patients referred on the two weeks wait pathway. The purpose of this study is to provide an alternative diagnostic test, while colonoscopy investigations are delayed due to the COVID Pandemic. This initially is undertaken in those at low risk of colorectal cancer. Low risk patients will have low levels of blood in the stool measured by FIT. Those at high risk will proceed straight to colonoscopy . At present in order to perform the CCE procedure it still requires patients to attend hospital, usually carried out by one healthcare professional. It involves fitting a receiver belt to the patient and oral administration of the disposable capsule. Therefore we propose a different mode of delivery to avoid hospital visit in order to mitigate COVID risk, in line with integrated care system of delivery away from hospital. We believe implementing digitally-enabled care will significantly reduce travel and journeys to hospital and will contribute to care closer to home. Setting up CCE home delivery system can facilitate many sustainability benefits including reduction or repurposing of estate footprint, reduced local air pollution, increased patient wellbeing /choice and time savings for the workforce . By implying new digital technology such as 5G we will be able to deliver the CCE service more effectively and productively, with patients at the centre which is in line with NHS X digital strategy . The aim of this study is to trial feasibility of home delivery of Colon Capsule Endoscopy service with the help of 5 G technology. Currently patients need to attend hospital to access this service. The term "5G" refers to the fifth generation of wireless transmission technology, expected to have a significant influence in many aspects of contemporary society, including healthcare. Based on 5G super bandwidth per unit area, connectivity, coverage (up to 100%), and capacity to connect devices per unit will lead to an ecosystem in which an "intelligence network" can serve real-time interactivity for massive medical equipment and patients' wearable devices, with cloud computing-based trade-offs between speed, latency, coverage, availability. COVID-19 has caused widespread healthcare impact .Countries and healthcare systems around the world have been forced to rapidly adapt to tele-health and digital innovations to mitigate the impact of the risk of virus transmission to what is widely regarded as the "new normal". With 5G technology, which has lower latency and higher capacity, healthcare systems can provide the care their patients need and expect remotely . Working with specialist connectivity partners, the CCE smartbox has been developed by CorporateHealth International, an Inverness-based capsule endoscopy service provider. A device supported by 5 G can be used independently in patient's homes. The Smartbox will be utilised to make telecommunication with the patient robust and safe, reducing the risk of failed procedure attempts. Faster and reliable 5G internet will enable the use of a 'virtual assistant' that can provide answers and guidance to the patient while clinicians can track and monitor the location of the equipment throughout the process. It is anticipated that the adoption of 5G to enable home testing will reduce waiting times and speed up the process of identifying irregularities and any subsequent treatment.