title: Improving colonoscopy referral rates through computer-supported, primary care practice redesign.
abstract: This quality improvement project was designed to improve rates of referral for colonoscopy screening in the Utah Health Research Network, University of Utah Community Clinics. This study was conducted between October 2004 and June 2007 with the main intervention being a clinic workflow modification using computerized screening reminders embedded in the electronic medical record (EMR). The intervention led to sustained improvement, largely driven by the performance of two network clinics. This study demonstrates that a robust EMR, with decision prompts, accompanied by clinic workflow changes and feedback to providers, can lead to sustained change in the rates of colonoscopy referral.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Community Clinics, University of Utah, USA. michael.magill@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Magill
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mervis
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Anna Nibley
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Marlene J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: Jerilin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunu
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prunuske
authors.forename: Brent C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burt
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D017010:Reminder Systems