Time since prior testing and quality of Pap test specimens collected by nurses trained to serve native populations

To respond to the service needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Island women, we developed an educational program (Nurses Providing Annual Cancer Screening; NPACS) that trains clinic nurses to collect Pap test specimens, perform clinical breast examinations, and organize clinical screening systems for cancer prevention and control. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the impact of the training program on nurses' ability to collect satisfactory Pap test specimens. Nurses in 30 clinics serving American Indian and Pacific Island women underwent 40 hours of training to perform clinical breast examinations, collect Pap test specimens, and organize clinical systems to support screening activities. In addition, they reported the quality of the tests to the NPACS office. As of July 15, 1997, 1733 Pap test specimens were collected and reported by the nurses. These reports were used to generate a rate of satisfactory specimens by year. The interpretation of quality was not available for 124 tests (7.2%). However, only 6 tests (0.3%) were reported as unsatisfactory for pathologic analysis. After 1 week of training, nurses can collect high-quality Pap test specimens, Policy makers should consider implementing this service delivery model in any location where women suffer from the lack of cancer prevention and control services.