Colorectal Cancer Screening
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Preventative screenings, beginning at age 50, are the most effective way to reduce risk of colorectal cancer. PCC Community Wellness Center is committed to helping patients take preventative measures to address their health, and therefore works to ensure that all patients are being screened appropriately. In 2018, PCC partnered with the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-up Through Implementation Science (ACCSIS-Chicago) to help test multicomponent interventions to increase rates of colorectal cancer screening, follow-up, and referral-to-care among racial/ethnic minority and low-income populations in Chicago. The program has three main components – provider education, provider assessment and feedback, and a patient reminder app regarding colorectal cancer screening follow-up. Since joining the project, PCC has witnessed increased rates of colorectal cancer screenings for patients 50 years and older at nearly all of our locations. It is our hope that through the extension of this partnership over the next few years that the number of PCC patients who have been screened appropriately for colorectal cancer will continue to increase.
SBIRT Screening
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based preventative care model to identify individuals with risky substance using behavior. The intention behind this preventative model is to decrease risky substance using behavior in order to prevent individuals from advancing in their substance use. The three major components of the model at PCC are as follows:
•SCREENING – During a medical visit, healthcare staff assesses a patient for risky substance use by using standardized screening tools regarding tobacco use, alcohol use, and drug use.
•BRIEF INTERVENTION – If a patient is identified as low to moderate risk, healthcare staff will offer support, education and access to therapy.
•REFERRAL TO TREATMENT – If a patient is identified as high risk, a warm hand-off to PCC’s behavior health team is made during the visit. They will provide support, referrals to other supportive services and schedule a follow-up visit with behavior health at PCC.
All PCC patients who are 18-years old and older, will receive the SBIRT screening at their medical visit annually. Not only does the screening generate dialogue between healthcare staff and patients about substance use, but also it ensures healthcare staff are routinely trained and educated on identifying behaviors associated with substance use and creates a community-wide support system for patients who work together to address their needs.
