Healthtech-1

Do you ask patients about their cervical screening status?

Yes we do, as part of the <a href="https://support.healthtech1.uk/en/articles/9994781-introducing-the-local-form">Local Form</a>! However, we realise that this can be controversial for practice teams and so we do not code any responses the patient provides. Let us explain why…

Why don’t you code this question?

The reason why is for clinical safety reasons, as assessed by our own Healthtech-1 Clinical Safety Officer, who is also a GP. This is due to the following reasons:

Patients may not be aware of when they last had their smear test, and may report this information inaccurately.

Patients may not be aware of their correct hysterectomy status; hysterectomy status is complex as they may have had a partial or total hysterectomy (in one, the patient keeps their cervix, and in the other it is removed with the womb).

Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) is already used by practices to manage cervical screening, and this holds accurate information on the patient’s smear status.

It is safer for a patient to be inappropriately offered a smear test (e.g. a patient newly arrived from abroad, where they had a smear test recently) and the patient can decline it, rather than not offering a cervical smear in the first place.

1. Patients may not be aware of when they last had their smear test, and may report this information inaccurately.
2. Patients may not be aware of their correct hysterectomy status; hysterectomy status is complex as they may have had a partial or total hysterectomy (in one, the patient keeps their cervix, and in the other it is removed with the womb).
3. Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) is already used by practices to manage cervical screening, and this holds accurate information on the patient’s smear status.
4. It is safer for a patient to be inappropriately offered a smear test (e.g. a patient newly arrived from abroad, where they had a smear test recently) and the patient can decline it, rather than not offering a cervical smear in the first place.

Do you know the date of your last cervical screening (smear) test?

We will only ask this if the patient stated that they are of the female sex and are aged between 24-65.

- We will only ask this if the patient stated that they are of the female sex and are aged between 24-65.

When was your last cervical screening (smear) test? The exact date is not important, just the month and year.

We will only ask this if the patient stated that they know the date of their last smear test.

- We will only ask this if the patient stated that they know the date of their last smear test.

What do you do with the information collected?

Due to the reasons we outlined above, we will never code this information. If the patient knows the date of their last smear test we will add this as a consultation note during the registration process.

🤔 Got thoughts on this? Please send us a message. We'd love to hear your feedback!