Cervical Cancer Process Improvement
Abstract
Background. Although preventable, cervical cancer (CC) still presents significant burden for women in the United States, particularly those belonging to marginalized groups. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a crucial role in providing cervical cancer screening (CCS) to these individuals but often have suboptimal CCS rates. Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to improve the CCS process for an FQHC. Aims. By addressing identified process gaps, this project aims to increase CCS rates by implementing a formal screening process. Methods. A clinic provider meeting was held to educate PCPs on CCS guidelines and use of a process improvement. An alert was added to the electronic health record (HER) of each patient due for CCS. Education handouts are being provided to women of CCS age outlining what CC is, disease significance, risk factors, how to obtain screening, and prompts patients to talk to their PCP about CCS. Outcome Measures. The number of patient education handouts given, number of patients offered same day CCS or WH referral, number of same day screenings or referrals completed, number of patients who decline screening, and if an increase in CCS compliance has occurred at project completion will be measured. Findings. Although project implementation is still occurring, it has yielded some preliminary findings and limitations. There has been good utilization of the provider checklist, but they are often incomplete. Also, many patients report having had screening elsewhere. Without results, however, compliance cannot be confirmed. Lastly, this clinic will be changing EHRs during project implementation, resulting in the need to add the EHR prompt to the new system.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 4:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate Student - Doctoral
Faculty Mentor
Charlotte Webb
Faculty Department
Nursing
Cervical Cancer Process Improvement
Background. Although preventable, cervical cancer (CC) still presents significant burden for women in the United States, particularly those belonging to marginalized groups. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a crucial role in providing cervical cancer screening (CCS) to these individuals but often have suboptimal CCS rates. Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to improve the CCS process for an FQHC. Aims. By addressing identified process gaps, this project aims to increase CCS rates by implementing a formal screening process. Methods. A clinic provider meeting was held to educate PCPs on CCS guidelines and use of a process improvement. An alert was added to the electronic health record (HER) of each patient due for CCS. Education handouts are being provided to women of CCS age outlining what CC is, disease significance, risk factors, how to obtain screening, and prompts patients to talk to their PCP about CCS. Outcome Measures. The number of patient education handouts given, number of patients offered same day CCS or WH referral, number of same day screenings or referrals completed, number of patients who decline screening, and if an increase in CCS compliance has occurred at project completion will be measured. Findings. Although project implementation is still occurring, it has yielded some preliminary findings and limitations. There has been good utilization of the provider checklist, but they are often incomplete. Also, many patients report having had screening elsewhere. Without results, however, compliance cannot be confirmed. Lastly, this clinic will be changing EHRs during project implementation, resulting in the need to add the EHR prompt to the new system.