Improving Followup of Abnormal Colon Cancer Screening Tests
Improving Followup of Abnormal Colon Cancer Screening Tests
The purpose of this study is to determine whether direct mailings to patients with positive
 fecal occult blood tests can increase rates of performing followup colonoscopy.
Screening programs using the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) have demonstrated a significant
 reduction in colorectal cancer mortality, although only when accompanied by a complete
 diagnostic evaluation of the colon in the setting of a positive result. 90% of patients with
 a positive FOBT result have completed a subsequent colonoscopy within Harvard Vanguard
 Medical Associates. This project will use a pre-post study design to increase the rate of
 followup colonoscopy in the setting of positive FOBT results. Patients in the intervention
 group will receive a personalized mailing highlighting their positive result and need for
 colonoscopy, followed by telephone outreach from a centralized gastroenterology scheduling
 office. The primary outcome will be the performance of colonoscopy, however we will also
 perform chart reviews to identify predictors of completing appropriate followup.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with positive fecal occult blood test during 2004, 2005, and 2006; and no
 colonoscopy following this test result

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with active cardiopulmonary disease or limited life expectancy due to severe
 illness such as malignancy

 -  Colonoscopy within 5 years prior to positive fecal occult blood test

 -  Age > 80 years