Reported Use of Electronic Health Records to Implement Evidence Based Approaches to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Community Health Centers.

BACKGROUND: Community health centers (CHCs) are critical sources of primary care for medically underserved populations. Electronic health records (EHRs) are important for implementation of evidence-based approaches for cancer control.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study of CHCs from the Cancer Prevention Control Research Network's community health center Clinic Characteristics Survey. Proportions of CHCs using EHR data to: 1) measure colorectal cancer screening, 2) deliver reports, and 3) provide patient reminders for colorectal cancer screening.
RESULTS: Only 27% of CHCs perceive EHR system's colorectal cancer screening data as very accurate. Over half (57%) of respondent CHCs with EHRs reported it is easy or very easy to do colorectal cancer screening activities using EHR systems.
CONCLUSIONS: Poor EHR data quality and cumbersome EHR systems may be significant barriers to implementation of evidence-based approaches to colorectal cancer screening in CHCs.