P15 - Increasing Screening Colonoscopy Rates in the Older Adult

Colon cancer continues to be a prevalent cancer globally. Older adults with chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) are recommended to obtain a screening colonoscopy at least biannually until the age of 75-80 to prevent colon cancer. Despite these recommendations screening colonoscopy rates remain low in the older adult population. The description and purpose of this project is to implement an evidence-based practice (EBP) project to increase surveillance colonoscopy rates among older adult patients with chronic UC. After viewing this podium presentation, the learner should be able to implement methods to improve colonoscopy rates in the older population with chronic UC.

Participants in the project were adults 18-80 years of age with chronic UC. Out of the participants chosen for this project, 16% were older adults. To identify an appropriate intervention, an exhaustive search of the literature was performed. The databases assessed were PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Articles included were studies performed within a 5-10 year timeframe and studies that were either a randomized controlled trial (RCT), a systematic review, or a meta-analysis. At a rural gastroenterology clinic, 30 participants with chronic UC who were overdue for screening colonoscopies were issued two reminder phone calls and a reminder letter with included educational material. The calls and letters reminded participants that they were overdue for a colonoscopy and provided them with a number for scheduling. When analyzing project data, a pre-and post-survey was used as well as a chart audit to evaluate screening colonoscopy rates before and after the intervention. The survey noted if a patient had scheduled a colonoscopy, intended to schedule a colonoscopy, or completed a colonoscopy within three months of project completion. Results revealed an 83% increase in screening colonoscopy rates for all participants post-intervention. A post-intervention chart audit revealed that colonoscopy rates increased 60% in the older adult population. The findings from this project indicated that implementing a phone and mail recall was successful in increasing screening colonoscopy rates in adult and older adult populations.