What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate an EHR-driven breast cancer screening initiative targeting underserved women in an urban ED.

February 22, 2026Clinical Cancer Research

Abstract PS3-02-28: Emergency Department Breast Cancer Screening Pilot: Improving Access to Screening and Diagnosis for Underserved Populations

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Key result

ED-led EHR breast cancer screening pilot connects underserved women to care, yielding ~50% first-time mammograms.

Why the study?

Mammography rates are lowest among women lacking insurance or primary care access, and emergency departments offer an opportunity to reach these underserved groups with screening initiatives.

Does an EHR-driven breast cancer screening initiative improve completion of risk assessment and linkage to mammogram in underserved women aged 40 or older in the ED?

Population

303 patients aged 40 or above reached in an urban ED in Chicago

Design

Retrospective quality improvement study

Authors

AMA MaheswaranUniversity of Illinois Chicago MMMark McCauleyDePaul University JGJ. GreenUniversity of Illinois Chicago

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

May enable first-time mammography for underserved women in EDs; hypothesis-generating for scalable risk assessment and linkage.

Key Points

To evaluate an EHR-driven breast cancer screening initiative targeting underserved women in an urban ED.
Conducted a retrospective quality improvement study
Used electronic health records to identify patients
Engaged patients through multiple outreach modalities
Provided education on breast cancer and screening options
Linked patients to further diagnostic services
303 patients aged 40 and above were reached during the initiative
65 mammogram orders were placed, resulting in 56 scheduled and 26 performed screenings
50% of those who underwent screening had never had a mammogram before
191 patients completed a hereditary cancer risk assessment
73 patients met criteria for genetic testing services

Structured PICO

Does an EHR-driven breast cancer screening initiative improve completion of risk assessment and linkage to mammogram in underserved women aged 40 or older in the ED?

Population

303 female patients aged 40 or above (mean age 51), majority Non-Latinx Black (66%) and Medicaid-insured (45%), seen in an urban Emergency Department in Chicago.

Intervention

Electronic Health Record (EHR)-driven breast cancer screening initiative using a customized digital navigator (Nest platform) for rapid breast symptom screening and hereditary cancer risk assessment (HCRA), with multi-modal outreach (in-person, phone, text, email) by patient navigators.

Outcome

Completion of risk assessment and linkage to mammogram

An ED-based EHR-driven screening initiative with digital patient navigation successfully identified and engaged underserved women for breast cancer risk assessment and mammography, though linkage to follow-up services remains challenging.

Limitations

Challenges in ensuring timely and effective linkage to recommended follow-up services

Cite This Study

Maheswaran et al. (2026) studied this question. An ED-led EHR-driven breast cancer screening pilot reached 303 underserved women, with 26 mammograms performed and 50% receiving their first screening mammogram.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699a9da0482488d673cd3960 https://doi.org/10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-ps3-02-28

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Abstract PS3-02-28: Emergency Department Breast Cancer Screening Pilot: Improving Access to Screening and Diagnosis for Underserved Populations

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Abstract PS3-02-28: Emergency Department Breast Cancer Screening Pilot: Improving Access to Screening and Diagnosis for Underserved Populations

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider