A computerized reminder system improves compliance with Papanicolaou smear recommendations in an HIV care clinic

Current guidelines call for Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening of HIV-infected women at least annually. After the initiation of a weekly computer based Pap smear reminder list in an HIV care clinic, the prevalence of scheduled women with up-to-date Pap smears was calculated for the one-year project period and was compared to the prevalence preceding the project. The prevalence of scheduled women with up-to-date Pap smears increased from 61.4% to 73.2% (P < 0.001) during the project period. Including Pap smears that were performed elsewhere, the final up-to-date Pap smear rate was 82.7%. The improved rate of up-to-date Pap smears showed no sign of attenuation over time. A computerized report generated from data in the hospital information system increased rates of compliance with Pap smear screening recommendations. Creative utilization of hospital data environments may be an inexpensive route to improved compliance with practice guidelines.