Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening at an Urban FQHC Using iFOBT and Patient Navigation.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Black Americans suffer even higher incidence and death rates than the general population. Genetics and patient perceptions explain some of this difference, however, modifiable health care system factors such as lack of access to colon cancer screening also contribute. Partnering an academic health center with local community groups, we piloted a colorectal cancer screening program at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving predominately low socioeconomic status Black Americans. The program was designed to identify and remove barriers to screening and improve screening rates. METHOD: At a single center FQHC, we developed an outreach program centered around (1) patient and provider education, (2) immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) distribution, and (3) patient navigation. We identified 402 eligible patients, of which 228 (56.7%) completed screening. RESULTS: Our 56.7% screening rate represented a twofold increase above prepilot levels at the clinic. Nine (4%) iFOBT returned positive. Three of these nine patients completed colonoscopy. Screening rates and follow through were higher under a single navigator model. CONCLUSIONS: Our academic-community partnership provided an effective, evidence based, and sustainable model for increasing colorectal cancer screening in a high risk, low resource community.

Implementation of an Adjunct Strategy to Reduce Blood Pressure in Blacks with Uncontrolled Hypertension: a Pilot Project.

A high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among Blacks is a major cause of racial health disparities in the United States. We established a community/academic partnership to improve hypertension control in Blacks receiving medical care at a federally qualified health center in Milwaukee. The defining components of our program included: six group sessions (one/month), based on the American Heart Association's Simple Seven curriculum and designed to motivate and empower patients to manage their blood pressure; active involvement of a community health worker; and ongoing participation of a community advisory board. The study design included a matched control group not exposed to the intervention. Patients in both groups received their usual medical care. Overall, compared to baseline, systolic blood pressure decreased at both 6 and 12 months (P < 0.004); however, the reduction of blood pressure in the intervention and control groups did not differ significantly (P = .62). Based on written responses to a questionnaire and structured focus group interviews after completing the six-month program, participants reported that the intervention was effective. In retrospect, they suggested that more attention might have been given to spirituality and stress reduction. Larger and longer-term studies will be required to evaluate the added value of this type of intervention.

Robotic-Assisted Removal of Intracardiac Cement After Percutaneous Vertebroplasty.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an increasingly common intervention, and complications resulting from embolization are increasingly observed. We report a case of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) embolization resulting in cardiac complications in a frail patient, which was managed with endoscopic robotic-assisted removal of the embolized material.