The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55221

Charla W. Ekstrand, MS, MPA¹, Elizabeth Johnson, MD², Nancy Lew, BS, MPA², Fred B. Strauss, MD³, Steven Bragg, BS², Carmencita Diaz, BSN⁴, and Patricia Green, BSN⁴. (1) Community Health Network, San Francisco Public Health Department, 3507 Laguna Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306-2652, 415-682-1940, Charlalou@aol.com, (2) Ocean Park Health Center, San Francisco Public Health Department, 1351 24th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122, (3) Castro Mission Health Center, San Francisco Public Health Department, 3850 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, (4) San Francisco Public Health Department, Silver Avenue Family Health Center, 1525 Silver Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94134

A women's health task force, working with nine community-based and four public-hospital-based primary health care clinics implemented a PAP tracking/reminder system which resulted in significant increases in the numbers of PAP smears received by low income, underserved women receiving primary care from a large urban public health department. This tracking model proved to be a successful intervention in increasing PAP rates in several different high risk populations served by the health department, including low income Hispanic, African American and homeless women. Using a combination of computerized tracking, a computerized lifetime clinical record, and multilingual mail and phone reminders, significant increases in numbers of women receiving PAP smears occurred, enabling the early detection of cervical abnormalities. This presentation will discuss the process used to implement this model and will provide information on how interested agencies can repicate the model.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe a reminder-based PAP tracking model;
• List one or more components of a successful PAP reminder system for monolingual, non- English speaking women; and
• Identify one or more interventions which can be used to improve PAP rates in underserved, low-income and/or high risk women.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: San Francisco Department of Public Health"s Community Health Network
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by San Francisco Department of Public Health Community Health Network