Abstract:
Abstract
Despite indications that colorectal cancer (CRC) screening strategies can decrease
mortality and morbidity, screening rates among veterans remains to be low. In the
Veterans Affairs (VA), the performance measure for CRC screening is lower than the
national standard. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the effect of a teambased
approach, effective electronic information structures, and the provision of
education to nurses and patients in increasing CRC screening rate in primary care from
77% to 85%. CRC screening data were retrospectively collected prior to the start of the
project and then compared to screening data 3 months after project implementation. The t
test showed a statistically significant increase (p = .009) in CRC screening post
intervention. Descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the knowledge and
proficiency of nurses with regard to CRC screening by using pre- and posttest
questionnaires. The findings showed that emphasizing the importance of CRC screening
among team members as well as appropriately dividing the work was effective in
contributing to an increase in CRC screening in primary care. This project contributes to
positive social change by increasing the nurses’ confidence and proficiency in promoting
health and disease prevention among the veterans; decreasing patient suffering; and
improving collaboration between providers, nurses, and other departments in the VA
primary care.
