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Alert systems may increase mammogram screening rates for women with HIV
Women with HIV may be more likely to obtain routine screenings, like breast cancer screening, if their treating physicians are reminded that the screening is due.
Researchers from the Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, R.I., presented a retrospective review of electronic and paper charts, which were then cross-referenced to electronic radiology reports. Data for 223 women with HIV aged greater than 41 years from The Miriam Hospital’s electronic database were used for the study.
Prior studies indicated that patients with HIV are more likely to receive HIV-related interventions rather than general preventive health services; as life expectancy for these patients increases health screening has become a challenge.
Compliance rates with breast cancer screening guidelines were determined for the period before and six months after the implementation of a quality improvement intervention that reminded health care providers when a patient’s screening date was due.
In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the researchers further assessed multiple demographic and HIV-related factors.
Results of the study indicated 23% of women received a mammogram screening within the 12 months prior to the implementation of the mammogram screening alert system compared with 32% of women following the implementation of the alert (P=.01).
Both private insurance coverage and absolute CD4 cell count of >200 were independent factors predicting compliance following implementation of the quality improvement intervention (P=.04 for both variables).
Presented at: ICAAC/IDSA joint meeting. Oct. 25-28, 2008. Washington, DC.
Presented at: ICAAC/IDSA joint meeting. Oct. 25-28, 2008. Washington, DC.