Clinical practice and new technology: prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

In response to a marked increase in the use of an available test, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound (GHC) evaluated the use of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) as a screening test for prostate cancer. A project team reviewed the literature and determined that PSA did not meet GHC's criteria for screening. An implementation team then developed a comprehensive program to educate staff, facilitate practice change, measure outcomes and provide continuing feedback to physicians. These efforts are described and preliminary reports reported.