Publication Date
2024
Document Type
Other
First Advisor
Coulter, Katherine
Second Advisor
Rosso, Elizabeth
Degree Name
DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Department
School of Nursing
Abstract
Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent yet treatable cancers. Head-to-toe skin assessments are recommended for high-risk patients. However, there is no universal risk-scoring method. At a suburban primary care clinic, providers revealed concerns about the overall lack of skin exams conducted. At this practice there is no skin assessment protocol in place for any group of patients, and skin exams are seldom performed unless prompted by a patient’s request. This quality improvement project evaluated the success of using the Self Assessment for Melanoma (SAMScore) to determine high-risk patients and the subsequent completion of a head-to-toe skin assessment and provider referral. The primary intervention was the use of the SAMScore survey in appropriate patients, completed over 8 weeks. The SAMScore survey was used to score patients' skin cancer risk and prompt further assessments. Overall 85% of eligible patients were scored as high and low risk for skin cancer. The SAMScore identified 20.6% of patients as high risk. High risk patients were referred to dermatology providers 58% of the time. The SAMScore survey and subsequent skin assessment process increased the number of head-to-toe assessments done in the clinic and facilitated patient dermatology referrals over 50% of the time.
Recommended Citation
Hays, Amanda D., "Implementing the Self-Assessment Melanoma Risk Scoring in Primary Care" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 9.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/nursinghealthstudies-doctornursingpractice/9
