Improving Cancer Screening Adherence in a Rural Health Clinic
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, yet cancer screenings are consistently underutilized. Clinical decision support checklists are an evidence-based method for increasing the identification of patients who are eligible for cancer screenings and subsequently improving screening adherence. The purpose of this project was to increase the use of a standardized pre-visit checklist for identifying patients in need of routine cancer screenings at a rural health clinic. PROCEDURES: Medical assistants within the clinic were asked to complete the pre-visit checklist and review it with the providers (physicians and nurse practitioners) prior to each patient visit. The tool outlines cancer screening eligibility based on the United States Preventative Services Task Force guidelines and enables providers to identify when the patient’s previous screening(s) occurred, as well when the next screening(s) is/are due. OUTCOME: Medical assistants completed the checklists 90% of the time. Eighty percent of the screenings indicated by the checklists as due were appropriately ordered by the provider or the provider documented the patient declined. Qualitative survey results indicated the medical assistants found the checklists easy to complete with minimal disruption to their workflow. Providers indicated on the survey the checklists provided an accurate and easily accessible resource to determine cancer screening eligibility and enhanced their ability to engage patients in discussion regarding the importance of cancer screening. IMPACT: Project results indicated the use of a pre-visit cancer screening checklist was associated with increased uptake of nationally recognized cancer screening guidelines.
Improving Cancer Screening Adherence in a Rural Health Clinic
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, yet cancer screenings are consistently underutilized. Clinical decision support checklists are an evidence-based method for increasing the identification of patients who are eligible for cancer screenings and subsequently improving screening adherence. The purpose of this project was to increase the use of a standardized pre-visit checklist for identifying patients in need of routine cancer screenings at a rural health clinic. PROCEDURES: Medical assistants within the clinic were asked to complete the pre-visit checklist and review it with the providers (physicians and nurse practitioners) prior to each patient visit. The tool outlines cancer screening eligibility based on the United States Preventative Services Task Force guidelines and enables providers to identify when the patient’s previous screening(s) occurred, as well when the next screening(s) is/are due. OUTCOME: Medical assistants completed the checklists 90% of the time. Eighty percent of the screenings indicated by the checklists as due were appropriately ordered by the provider or the provider documented the patient declined. Qualitative survey results indicated the medical assistants found the checklists easy to complete with minimal disruption to their workflow. Providers indicated on the survey the checklists provided an accurate and easily accessible resource to determine cancer screening eligibility and enhanced their ability to engage patients in discussion regarding the importance of cancer screening. IMPACT: Project results indicated the use of a pre-visit cancer screening checklist was associated with increased uptake of nationally recognized cancer screening guidelines.