|
 |
J Clin Outcomes Manage
2011 Dec;18(12):557-560
Impact of an educational intervention on abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in a general internal medicine clinic
Gain J, Thomas J, Cumpa EA, Varney AJ
Abstract: Objective: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends 1-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasound in men aged 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked. We assessed screening rates in our?general internal medicine clinics before and after a low-cost physician education intervention. Methods: We conducted a chart review to assess our screening rate, then implemented an intervention consisting of education with a didactic component, emails, and an audit with feedback and discussion. We then reviewed charts to assess screening rates immediately post-intervention and 5 to 6 months following the intervention. Results: Pre-intervention, 88 patients met the criteria?for screening but only 6 (6.8%) underwent screening. Immediately following the intervention, 79 patients met the criteria and 14 (17.7%) underwent screening. The increase in AAA screening was significant (P = 0.034). Five to 6 months later, 89 patients met the criteria but only 8 (9.0%) underwent screening. The increase from pre-intervention was not significant (P = 0.781). Conclusion: A simple, low-cost educational intervention to improve AAA screening was helpful. However, the effect was short-lived.
Reports from the Field
Search the Turner White index to find abstracts of articles published in JCOM.
|
