Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States. More than 180,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Many health care organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons, currently recommend that women obtain annual mammograms beginning at age 40.

Formula:  The number of female patients/clients over 40 years of age with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months who also had a mammogram in the past 12 months (as documented in the HIV primary care record). Divide by the total number of female patients over 40 years of age with at least one HIV primary care visit in the past 12 months. Multiply by 100 to calculate percent.

Increase the percentage of female patients/clients with an annual mammogram to 80 percent or higher within one year.

Analyze data monthly (or at the frequency established for your quality improvement effort). At the end of the month, identify your sample (women over 40 years of age who have had at least one primary care visit in the past 12 months). From this sample, count the number of patients who had a mammogram in the last 12 months.  Divide by the total number of female HIV/AIDS patients/clients over 40 years of age with at least one HIV primary care visit. Multiply by 100 to calculate percent.

The National HIVQUAL Project’s Minimum Sample Table will help you determine the number of records to include in your sample. The Research Randomizer can generate a random number series to help you select which records to review.