Date Available
4-25-2019
Year of Publication
2019
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Committee Chair
Dr. Lynne Jensen
Clinical Mentor
Dr. Chris Yost
Committee Member
Dr. Julianne Ossege
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the US. Kentucky has one of the highest rates of the disease. Approximately 1/3 of the population has not completed screening for colon cancer as recommended by guidelines. Patient navigation is a strategy proposed to increase completion of screening in the primary care setting.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this quality improvement pilot project was to provide preliminary data on the impact of a patient navigation strategy to improve colon cancer screening completion in low risk individuals.
METHODS: Colon cancer screening completion using Colonoscopy or Cologuard testing was compared between 30 navigated patients and 30 routine care patients in a women’s health primary care clinic. The prevalence and prevalence odds ratios were computed to measure the association between patient navigation and the project outcome measures. The barriers to non-completion of screening were also assessed. The overall results were compared to findings in the New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program PN protocol endorsed by the CDC.
RESULTS: Patients in the PN intervention group were 5 times more likely to complete colon cancer screening than control patients (P = .021) and 2.7 more likely to also have had a Colonoscopy date scheduled (P = .015). In addition, 55.5% of navigated patients completed screening after receiving mailed screening enrollment forms versus 23.8% completion whose enrollment was on an online ordering portal alone.
CONCLUSION: Patient navigation can be used as strategy for increasing colon cancer rates in low risk individuals. Other contributors to increases in screening included having designated personnel for enrollment processes, offering a choice in screening test, mailed reminders for enrollment in screening, and access to an online ordering portal.
Recommended Citation
Rosenthal, Martha, "The Effect of a Patient Navigator Strategy on Colorectal Cancer Screening Completion in a Women’s Health Clinic" (2019). DNP Projects. 265.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/265
