Provider Reminders

Health care providers can help more of their patients get screened for cancer if they get reminders about when their patients are due for screenings. A study showed this practice increased screening and testing by more than 7%.

Provider reminders can be done in several ways—

• Manual reminders: Staff can use stickers or notations on the medical charts of patients who are due for a cancer screening.
• Electronic reminders: Some electronic health record systems can be set up to send screening alerts to providers.

How to Develop a Provider Reminder System

For detailed information, see the Provider Reminder Planning Guide.

• Get buy-in from providers and other staff by including them in the planning and set-up process.
• Create a process to ensure that—
  • Records are flagged properly.
  • Providers recommend appropriate screenings.
  • Screening tests are ordered.
  • Screening is completed or refused.
  • Refusal or results are documented.
• Decide which records will be flagged by looking at—
  • The patient’s age, sex, and risk factors.
  • The patient’s date of last screening and upcoming appointments.
  • The type of test.
  • The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force’s recommendations for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.

Monitor your efforts—

• Develop a plan to evaluate your system regularly and make improvements as needed.
• Make sure providers receive the reminders.
• Make sure providers are making screening referrals or ordering tests.
• If you make changes, write them down and retrain staff as needed.

Find a CDC-funded breast and cervical cancer screening or colorectal cancer control program in your area. These programs can partner with you and provide support and technical assistance.