Addressing barriers to colorectal cancer screening in a federally qualified health center.

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, despite the availability of high-quality screening options. Multiple barriers to CRC screening have been identified, including cost (noninsured), younger age, racial or ethnic minority, recent immigration to the United States (non-English speaking), fear or distrust of the health care system, and rural residence.

LOCAL PROBLEM

The mean CRC screening rate for the designated Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) was 33.7% for the 5 months preceding this quality improvement (QI) project. The benchmark target for CRC screening was 60.1%.

METHODS

The Model for Improvement and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle created the framework for the CRC screening targeted interventions used in this FQHC patient population.

INTERVENTIONS

Multiple targeted interventions were implemented over a 4-month period that emphasized a strong provider recommendation, a team-based approach to identify and offer CRC screening options to the overdue patient. A chart audit was followed by a mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and colonoscopy reminder letter initiative.

RESULTS

The performance metric for CRC screening reached 40% within 4 months. A second chart audit confirmed the CRC screening rate improved to 41.5% among patients aged 50-75 years. An overall 55% return rate was achieved with the mailed FIT initiative within 2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued quality improvement initiatives are needed to achieve the benchmark target for this FQHC. These team-based interventions can be used by the primary care nurse practitioner to improve health equity for CRC screening in other underserved populations.