Incorporation of Women's Health Maintenance Screening in the USD Coyote Clinic.

INTRODUCTION

The Coyote Clinic is a student-run clinic that provides free services to Sioux Falls residents without insurance. It has not historically provided routine women's health screenings. The project addressed this lack of preventative care. We aimed to increase the percentage of female patients that are up to date on Papanicolaou (Pap) smears, mammograms, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines through the implementation of screening questions.

METHODS

A screening questionnaire was created and asked to female patients between the ages of 18-65 about the dates and results of their last Pap smear, mammogram, and the administration of any HPV vaccine.

RESULTS

27 patients answered the questions. Fifty-two percent were Caucasian, 26 percent Hispanic, 15 percent African American, and 7 percent Middle Eastern. Two patients were eligible for HPV vaccination: one had not received the vaccination and the other was unknown. All 27 women were eligible for Pap smears. Seventy-six percent had normal results, 19 percent were unsure of their results, and 5 percent had abnormal results. Eight patients were eligible for mammograms: five were up to date, two were tested in the last three years, and one had an unknown test date.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of eligible female patients were up to date on Pap smears and mammograms. The health maintenance questionnaire was a valuable resource for patient care, patient health literacy, and medical student education.