Standardization of Skin Cancer Screening During an Adult Annual Wellness Exam in the Primary Care Setting

Abstract

DNP ProjectSkin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with about 9,500 new cases daily. The American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend skin cancer screening and counseling during annual wellness check-ups, especially for high-risk individuals. This quality improvement project aims to facilitate early detection and intervention for skin cancer within the primary care environment by standardizing skin cancer screenings during adult annual wellness visits. Four-week retrospective chart reviews were conducted to survey how many patients received skin cancer screenings and dermatology referrals during their adult annual wellness exams. Implementation lasted four weeks, and all adult patients undergoing wellness exams received skin cancer screenings using the SAMScore tool along with a dermatology referral if indicated. The four-week retrospective chart review of 23 patients revealed 0% documented screenings or dermatology referrals. After an educational in-service and integration of the SAMScore tool into the workflow, a four-week post implementation review showed that 100% of 22 patients received documented skin cancer screenings with no referrals needed. Statistical analysis using Chi-Square and Fisher’s exact test indicated a significant improvement in screening rates post intervention (χ² = 45.00, df = 1, p < .001). These results support the effectiveness of the intervention in enhancing early skin cancer detection in the primary care setting