A Program Evaluation of a Clinic’s Breast Cancer Screening Process

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer across all ethnic groups with 270,000 women in the U.S. diagnosed yearly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). Breast cancer is the second causative factor of death in women with mortality estimates greater than 42,000 annually. Screening and early referral is essential. Mammography is the gold standard for detecting early, non-palpable, and preventable cancers. Primary care clinics can impact screening efforts by creating policies and utilizing electronic health records (EHR) to identify, track, and notify adult female patients who meet recommendations for breast cancer screening (BCS). PurposeThe purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to evaluate the use and satisfaction of the critical note header (CNH) and its impact on (BCS) rates. MethodsThis project was a program evaluation of screening rates pre- and post-CNH implementation in a primary care clinic using the CDC evaluation framework. Results/Findings: Use of the CNH, at an Eastern Washington clinic, had a significant effect (p=.02) in identifying females meeting eligibility recommendations for BCS. Screening rates increased 4.75% post-CNH implementation. ConclusionsRoutine BCS is critical in preventing or reducing a woman’s breast cancer risk, late-stage diagnosis, and the improvement of overall breast cancer morbidity and mortality rates. Utilization of the CNH electronic reminder was shown to improve BCS rates at this clinic, enhanced practice, and reduced missed screening opportunities