title: Improving Adherence to Screening Colonoscopy Preparation and Appointments: A Multicomponent Quality Improvement Program.
abstract: Colorectal screening for cancer by colonoscopy is recommended for adults 50 years and older. Scheduling patients for sedated endoscopic procedures involves balancing physician schedules, room availability and equipment, proper patient preparedness, and necessary personnel. Both nonattendance and poor preparations contribute to inefficiency, wasted resources, and increased costs. We noted nonattendance rates ranging from 21% to 29%. As a first step, we examined patient factors associated with nonattendance using a retrospective case control study. Younger patients (<60 years), screening appointment, and insurance type were associated with nonattendance. On the basis of these findings, initial efforts focused on additional nurse strategies of follow-up contact and education for screening colonoscopies. As we improved attendance rate, concomitantly we discovered cancellation rates increasing. Subsequently, an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental quality improvement program has been ongoing to target a number of system-, nurse-, and patient-specific factors contributing to nonattendance and cancellations due to poor preparations. Rates have improved but require ongoing monitoring and surveillance. We describe the ongoing efforts and challenges aimed at both nonattendance and cancellations.
authors.affiliation: Eve Kalayjian, BSN, RN, is Clinical Nurse, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Diane Bringman, BSN, RN, CGRN, is Clinical Nurse, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Angel Naughton, BSN, RN, is Nurse Manager, Ambulatory and Perioperative Services, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Sheila Bond, BSN, RN, is Clinical Nurse, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Wendy Sarver, MSN, RN, is Coordinator, Nursing Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Lorraine C. Mion, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalayjian
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bringman
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naughton
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sarver
authors.forename: Lorraine C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Mion
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003113:Colonoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D055815:Young Adult