Patient Navigation Screening Program

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Contact Information

Organization Information

Project Summary

The Patient Navigation Screening Program is a community based initiative using a barrier reduction focus to facilitate screening for breast, cervical, and/or colon cancer. The target population is low income, asymptomatic individuals who are not current with these three screenings. The program provides free navigation services that include individualized, personal assistance by trained navigators, identifying and resolving barriers to screening or health care, facilitating timely access to follow up needs, connecting patients to community and medical resources, and coordinating care among treatment providers when necessary.

Project Goal

1. Increasing screening rates for breast, cervical, and/or colon cancer among low income individuals. 2. Connecting all program participants to a medical home.

Promotional Methods

Outreach to a variety of entities that interact with the target population, printed materials, social media, local television PSAs, etc. We work directly with area health care clinics to identify patients not current with breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings. Navigators make contact with these patients to enroll them in the program and ensure that they obtained the screenings they needed. Patients are educated on the importance of ongoing cancer screenings as prescribed by the primary health care provider. When necessary, patients are connected or reconnected with a medical home for ongoing preventative health care.

Project Challenges

Myriad challenges largely related to being community based versus single health system based entity. Overcome through finding champion partners who believed in the mission of the program. Time and persistence was also crucial.

Project Results

The primary outcome for this program is completed screenings and since program inception, over 2400 completed screenings have been facilitated. Screening compliance can ease concerns and result in prevention/early detection for many participants. The program helps to reduce pain and suffering, increase effectiveness of treatment, lower costs to the community and ultimately increase the health and well being of our most vulnerable residents.

Organization Type

Community Based Organization

Types of Practices

  • Community

Target Age Ranges

  • Adults

Gender(s)

  • All

Race/Ethnicity

  • All

Project Service Type

  • Awareness
  • Community Outreach / Community Engagement
  • Prevention
  • Screening / Early Detection

Project Content Area

  • Breast
  • Cancer
  • Cervical
  • Colorectal

Project/Program Care Team Target Population

  • Community Health Workers / Patient Navigators

Counties Served

  • Lackawanna
  • Luzerne
  • Monroe
  • Pike
  • Susquehanna
  • Wayne
  • Wyoming

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