Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

DNP Executive Summary

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Family Nurse Practitioner

Department

Nursing

Faculty Chair

Dr. Jessica Lockhart

Preceptor

Dr. Terry Kurtts

Abstract

Background: Routine mammography can lessen breast cancer deaths, but many patients do not follow the current screening guidelines. Limited access to mammography and insufficient awareness lead to missed screening appointments.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve annual mammogram adherence among women aged 40-74 by implementing an electronic medical record (EMR)-based text reminder system.

Project Design: Secondary patient data was collected from a privately owned, rural family practice clinic. Using the Mobilize-Assess-Plan-Implement-Track (MAP-IT) quality improvement framework, the project implemented a text message reminder intervention through the EMR. Eligible patients received a text reminder within one week of their scheduled mammography date to encourage completion.

Results: Project efficacy was determined using a t-test. Compliance rates from 2024 and 2025 were compared. Data revealed that sending reoccurring text reminders did not affect patients’ compliance with their annual mammogram screenings.

Conclusion: Future efforts aimed at enhancing mammography compliance rates must better identify individual patient needs, health literacy levels, individual preferences, and provider/patient relationships.

Lacey Santa Cruz DNP Project Poster.pptx (279 kB)
DNP Project Poster

DNP Project Slide Presentation Lacey Santa Cruz.pptx (4023 kB)
DNP Project PowerPoint

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