Clinical Preventive Services

Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Spirometry: Summary of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. K. Lin, B. Watkins, T. Johnson, et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, April 2008; 148(7):535-543. Summarizes the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on using spirometry to screen for COPD, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. (AHRQ 08-R058)

Screening for Colorectal Cancer. K. Lin, R. Sharangpani, American Family Physician, April 2010, 81(8):1017-1018. Presents a case study and related questions about screening for colorectal cancer in asymptomatic individuals at average risk for the disease. (AHRQ 10-R064)

Screening of Infants for Hyperbilirubinemia to Prevent Chronic Bilirubin Encephalopathy. K. Lin, M. Humphrey, American Family Physician, August 2010; 82(4):411-412. Presents an example of an evidence-based approach to screening of newborn infants for elevated bilirubin. (AHRQ 11-R002)

USPSTF Recommendations for STI Screening. D. Meyers, T. Wolff, K. Gregory, et al., American Family Physician, March 15, 2008; 77(6):819-824. Provides an overview of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statements issued since 2000 on screening for sexually transmitted infections. (AHRQ 08-R056)

Electronic Preventive Services Selector (ePSS)

AHRQ's Electronic Preventive Services Selector (ePSS) is a quick, hands-on tool to help primary care clinicians identify and offer the screening, counseling, and preventive medication services that are appropriate for their patients. The ePSS is based on the current, evidence-based recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and can be searched by patient characteristics such as age, sex, and selected behavioral risk factors. The tool is available as a Web-based selector, a downloadable PDS or mobile device application, or a widget that can be used to add the ePSS recommendations to any Web site. The ePSS brings the prevention information clinicians need— recommendations, clinical considerations, and selected practice tools—to the point of care.
Available at: http://epss.ahrq.gov/.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention that systematically reviews the evidence of effectiveness and develops recommendations for clinical preventive services.

The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2010-2011. September 2010, 280 pp. Pocket-sized guide is a compilation of abridged USPSTF recommendations released from 2002 to March 2010 that can be used as an evidence-based tool at the point of patient care. (AHRQ 10-05145; single copies free; contact the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse for pricing information on bulk orders)

For more information about the Task Force, including links to online publications and other resources, go to http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/prevenix.htm

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