And these tests are covered by Medicare, all or in part. The study suggests that physicians are not ordering the tests and indicates that patients should begin to demand preventative care. The report also indicates that where you live plays a very strong role in whether or not you receive preventive screening services or have surgical services. Traditionally, HMO's have better systems for gathering information on preventive services and outcomes. Markets that have a high HMO-Medicare penetration appear to have increased rates of preventative care and more compliance with screening protocols.
Traditional care is also very often ethnocentric to a given geographic area.
Given such low rates of preventative screenings, we need a wake-up call. Nurses are on the front line of communication in the hospital, physician offices and in the community. We need to assess each patient for necessary preventative screening care. This should not be done just in the primary care practice setting, but can and should be done in all settings where we assess a patient's health history. In long-term care settings, nursing homes and rehab, it can also be done.