Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Large Healthcare Organization

Abstract

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a major health and financial burden internationally, nationally, and locally. Evidence has shown that early detection of CRC has improved the prognosis of patients diagnosed with CRC. Despite the advances in healthcare, CRC screening is not widely used. Furthermore, the CRC screening rate at the project site was 0%. This provided an opportunity for the healthcare organization to improve patient’s access to CRC screening. The purpose of this evidence-based DNP project was to increase the rates of CRC screening in order to decrease CRC death rates in southeastern NC. The intervention involved the implementation of U.S. Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) approved fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) stool testing through the interdisciplinary partnership of the local healthcare organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The project involved provider education, provider reminder strategies, a standardized CRC questionnaire process and patient referrals during their yearly preventive examination or a problem visit. The providers successfully identified 100% of the patients as candidates for CRC screening. Of the identified participants 72.4% (n=21) were not current on their CRC screening. 62.1% (n=18) of the participants had never undergone CRC screening. 48.3% (n=14) were identified for CRC screening and referred to the FQHC for the FIT stool testing. Findings revealed that the providers properly identified and referred the patients to the FQCH for CRC screening.