Leveraging Electronic Health Records Data for Enhanced Colorectal Cancer Screening Efforts

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States for men and women combined. While the current threat of disease nationally is significant, the majority of colorectal cancer cases and deaths could be prevented through established screening tests and guidelines. Within the Appalachian region and West Virginia in particular, colorectal cancer is a significant public health problem. A more systematic, comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling cancer is essential.

Through the West Virginia Program to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening, primary care systems across the state received data-informed practice facilitation designed to increase screening rates.

Year-1 cohort health systems had an overall baseline screening rate of 28.4% during calendar year 2014. This rate increased and remained steady during the three follow-up measurement time periods, with a rate of 49.5% during calendar year 2018. This increase is notably greater than comparable health systems not part of the initiative.

Lessons learned in increasing colorectal cancer screening rates are applicable to other priority health needs as well.