Colonoscopy Screening: Setting Epic Follow-up Times

Screening for colorectal cancer can reduce its incidence and mortality but is a complex, error-prone process. The value of screening with colonoscopy is in removing pre-cancerous polyps that increase one’s risk for future cancer. Abnormal results are common, and failure to receive recommended follow-up undermines the benefits of screening, violates the trust that patients place in their providers, and increases medicolegal risk. This proposal seeks to ensure that the foundation of safety systems, the recommendations for the follow-up interval reflect current guideline recommendations and are accurately updated. Specifically, the investigators will implement and evaluate in a randomized trial a new colonoscopy result letter as part of usual care that automatically updates the recommended follow-up interval in the patient’s health record compared to the current result letter format.