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Screening Initiatives (screening + initiative)
Selected AbstractsScreening swallowing function of patients with acute stroke.JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 4 2001Part two: detailed evaluation of the tool used by nurses ,,Stroke is a common problem and a major consumer of health and social care budgets in the UK. ,,Dysphagia is a frequent accompaniment and its management has the potential to exert significant influence within the rehabilitation process. ,,This study explores in detail the performance of a screening tool (based on the Standardized Swallowing Assessment) used by nurses. ,,Based on 68 complete screening episodes by independently competent nurses, with the effects of chance removed, the tool demonstrated good agreement with summative clinical judgement of swallow function (,=0.88). The accuracy of results supported the full training and education programme for nurses. ,,Not all components of the tool were required; analyses suggested elimination of three variables but further exploration is warranted. ,,As a component of evidence-based guidelines for nutritional support in acute stroke, the screening initiative contributed to improved patient outcomes. [source] Colorectal cancer screening: A comparison of 35 initiatives in 17 countries,,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2008Victoria S. Benson Abstract Although in its infancy, organized screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the general population is increasing at regional and national levels. Documenting and describing these initiatives is critical to identifying, sharing and promoting best practice in the delivery of CRC screening. Subsequently, the International Colorectal Cancer Screening Network (ICRCSN) was established in 2003 to promote best practice in the delivery of organized screening programs. The initial aim was to identify and document organized screening initiatives that commenced before May 2004. Each identified initiative was sent 1 questionnaire per screening modality: fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or total colonoscopy. Information was collected on screening methodology, testing details and initiative status. In total, 35 organized initiatives were identified in 17 countries, including 10 routine population-based screening programs, 9 pilots and 16 research projects. Fecal occult blood tests were the most frequently used screening modality, and total colonoscopy was seldom used as a primary screening test. The eligible age for screening ranged from 40 years old to no upper limit; most initiatives included participants aged 50 to 64. Recruitment was usually done by a mailed invitation or during a visit to a family physician. In conclusion, this is the first investigation describing the delivery of CRC screening protocols to various populations. The work of the ICRCSN is enabling valuable information to be shared and a common nomenclature to be established. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Emergency Department Chlamydia Screening Through Partnership with the Public Health DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009Charlene Babcock Irvin MD Abstract Background:, The emergency department (ED) serves a population that may benefit from numerous screening initiatives but screening in the ED is challenging due to crowding as well as resource and time constraints. One option may be to collect specimens in the ED and then partner with the public health department (PHD) to analyze the specimens off-site and arrange follow-up treatment. Objectives:, The objective was to explore the feasibility of chlamydia screening in females using a partnership model in which the ED is responsible for urine collection and the PHD is responsible for chlamydia testing, notification, and treatment. Methods:, A collaborative partnership-based chlamydia screening project was initiated at a large (90,000 visits/yr), urban, teaching ED from April 2007 to April 2008. Study information sheets were handed out to a convenience sample of eligible female patients and visitors (15,24 yr of age). Those wishing to participate provided a urine sample and follow-up contact information. The information sheet also asked if they had either lower abdominal pain or vaginal discharge (affirmative answer for either was considered symptomatic). Specimens collected in the ED were retrieved by PHD staff for off-site testing. The PHD contacted those participants testing positive using the patient provided contact information and arranged for treatment. Results:, Of the 633 women offered screening, 296 (47%) agreed to testing and provided samples. Of the 296 tested, 38 (12.8%) were positive for chlamydia infection, and 25 (66%) received follow-up and treatment; 13 could not be contacted through information they provided. A higher percentage of symptomatic subjects (23 of 115, or 20%) tested positive for chlamydia than asymptomatic subjects (15 of 181, or 8.3%; p < 0.01). Conclusions:, This study demonstrates the feasibility of an ED,PHD partnership for chlamydia screening in young women. This model can potentially be applied to other initiatives and may improve public health screening without creating significant additional burdens for crowded EDs. [source] Compliance with Recommended Cancer Screening among Emergency Department Patients: A Multicenter SurveyACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Adit A. Ginde MD Abstract Objectives:, The objectives were to measure compliance with, and possible sociodemographic disparities for, cancer screening among emergency department (ED) patients. Methods:, This was a cross-sectional survey in three academic EDs in Boston. The authors enrolled consecutive adult patients during two 24-hour periods at each site. Self-reported compliance with standard recommendations for cervical, breast, testicular, and prostate cancer screening were measured. The chi-square test was used test to evaluate associations between demographic variables and cancer screening compliance. Results:, The authors enrolled 387 patients (81% of those eligible). The participants had a mean (±standard deviation) age of 44 (±18) years and were 52% female, 16% Hispanic, and 65% white. Sixty-seven percent (95% confidence interval [CI] = 60% to 73%) of all women reported Pap smear examinations in the past 3 years, 92% (95% CI = 85% to 96%) of women aged ,40 years reported clinical breast examinations, and 88% (95% CI = 81% to 94%) of women aged ,40 years reported mammography. Fifty-one percent (95% CI = 40% to 61%) of men aged 18,39 years reported testicular self-examinations, and among men aged ,40 years, 79% (95% CI = 69% to 87%) reported digital rectal examinations (DREs) and 51% (95% CI = 40% to 61%) reported prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Racial and ethnic minorities reported slightly lower rates of clinical breast examinations and testicular self-examinations. Conclusions:, Most women and a majority of men in our ED-based study were compliant with recommended measures of cervical, breast, testicular, and prostate cancer screening. No large sociodemographic disparities in our patient population were identified. Based on these data, and the many other pressing public health needs of our ED population, the authors would be reluctant to promote ED-based cancer screening initiatives at this time. [source] | ||||||||||