Cervical cancer screening in an urban emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of Pap screening and follow-up of urban emergency department patients and the prevalence of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma in this group.


METHODS
During a four-month period, Pap smears were added to pelvic examinations performed in the ED. Follow-up, including repeat Pap smear or biopsy, was attempted on all abnormal smears.


METHODS
Urban county hospital-based ED.


METHODS
Pap screening and follow-up.


RESULTS
Dysplasia was present in 8% of screening Pap smears. Eighty-two percent of patients with dysplasia on screening Pap smear returned for follow-up. Four percent of screened patients received a confirmed diagnosis of CIN 1 or more following repeat Pap smear or biopsy. Two invasive cervical cancers were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of cervical dysplasia among women screened with Pap smears in an urban ED. Routine Pap screening in urban EDs can be an important component of cervical cancer control programs for high-risk women.
Hogness
C G
CG
Division of Primary Care Medicine, Highland General Hospital, Oakland, California.
Engelstad
L P
LP
Linck
L M
LM
Schorr
K A
KA
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006766:Hospitals, County / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014505:Urban Population; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears