Clinical Corner - Normal CBE & No Screening Mammogram? What do you do!

Question: We have a client who had a normal clinical breast exam (CBE) and did not present with any symptoms or history of breast cancer. She is 54 years old and her last screening mammogram was in 2011. We provided education about a referral to another screening mammogram. She did not complete the screening mammogram. We attempted to contact her without success. Should this person be closed out as “Lost to Follow-up” in eCaST or “Follow Routine Screening?"

Answer: These cases do not need to be closed as “Lost to follow-up." These types of cases can be closed as “Follow Routine Screening," as long as the CBE was normal and the provider didn’t intend for further follow-up due to an abnormal finding. If the provider wanted further follow-up for a non-suspicious CBE, even in cases without reported symptoms, the “Lost to Follow-up” choice is the best choice. Lost to follow-up for WWC is usually used for clients in need of diagnostics due to an abnormal screening or diagnostic.

WWC continues to strongly recommend agencies use evidence-based interventions, such as provider and patient reminders, to follow-up with women 50-64 years old that have not had a screening mammogram within USPSTF recommended intervals.

If you have a clinical question that you would like answered, please email Angela.FellersLeMire@state.co.us.