Cervical smears--an opportunity for disinvestment?
Spence, M T Woodman, Ciaran B J Collins, S Donnelly, Brad Desai, Mina
Spence, M T
Woodman, Ciaran B J
Collins, S
Donnelly, Brad
Desai, Mina
Citations
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The National Cervical Screening Programme was introduced to increase population coverage while reducing the overscreening of women at low risk. AIM: To describe the frequency with which cervical smears are unnecessarily repeated within the prescribed screening interval. METHOD: All cervical smears taken in a primary care setting in Manchester from women aged 20-64, during 1988-92, were identified. A smear was considered unscheduled if it was taken within 30 months of a preceding smear and if there was no clinical indication or laboratory recommendation for an early repeat smear. RESULTS: A total of 100 134 smears were identified from 85 594 women attending 130 general practices and 40 NHS community clinics; 12 633 women subsequently had 14 702 unscheduled smears; 50% of the unscheduled smears were taken by 18% of the general practices and 8% of the NHS community clinics. CONCLUSION: If they are replicated elsewhere, these findings suggest a substantial disinvestment opportunity.
Description
Date
1996-09
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Uterine Cervical Cancer
Type
Article
Citation
Cervical smears--an opportunity for disinvestment? 1996, 46 (410):537-8 Br J Gen Pract