Cervical Cancer Screening Practice Considerations for Patients with Disabilities

Image of the Cervical Cancer Screening practice considerations cover.

How to Use This Resource

This resource is intended to support healthcare providers delivering cervical cancer screenings that are accessible to patients with disabilities. The guidance focuses on disability-related barriers, accommodation needs, and strategies to support accessible cervical cancer screening for patients with mobility disabilities, sensory disabilities, and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). While information is organized by disability type, many barriers and accommodations apply across multiple disability groups. Healthcare providers should use this resource to support identifying and addressing each patient's individual needs rather than relying solely on disability categories.

This resource is not a substitute for disability and trauma-informed care training. Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete relevant training programs and use this resource as a practical guide for planning and delivering accessible cervical cancer screening. Visit the Screening for All Resource Library to explore trainings.

This resource was revised in July 2026 based on feedback from healthcare providers and people with lived experience.

A Note on Language

Sensory disabilities: In this resource, sensory disabilities refers to disabilities that affect a person's ability to receive or process sensory input. This includes individuals who are blind, have low vision, are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind. Experiences and terminology preferences vary among individuals and communities.

Person-first vs. identity-first: This resource uses both patients with disabilities and disabled patients interchangeably. While person-first language (patients with disabilities) may be more common in clinical contexts, identity-first language (disabled patients) is preferred by many within the disability community. Our use of both reflects respect for diverse preferences and the evolving language norm in both the medical and disability communities. Preferences vary by person, and best practice is to use whatever language the patient uses and/or ask which they would prefer.

Why This Matters

With approximately 61 million adults in the United States living with a disability, ensuring accessible screening processes is both a legal requirement and a clinical necessity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires healthcare systems to ensure equitable access to healthcare for people with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations. People with disabilities are significantly less likely to be up to date on their cervical cancer screenings (77.9%) compared to those without disabilities (84.2%) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Further, people with more severe physical disabilities are even less likely to be up to date with cervical cancer screenings (Horner-Johnson et al., 2014). This underscores the importance of addressing barriers disabled people experience in accessing preventive care.

USPSTF Guidelines

These practice considerations apply to patients with disabilities who meet standard U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) cervical cancer screening criteria. The 2018 USPSTF recommendation is cervical cancer screening for people with a cervix aged 21 to 65. Clinical eligibility should be determined by using standard USPSTF criteria regardless of disability status.

Patient Assessment

Patient assessment is an opportunity to identify potential barriers to screening, understand accommodation needs, and ensure that decisions are based on the individual rather than assumptions about disability. These conversations can improve screening access and support informed decision-making.

Healthcare provider assumptions about patients with disabilities can create significant barriers to care. These assumptions may include believing that patients with disabilities are not sexually active, that screening is not possible because of their anatomy, that they are unable to undergo the procedure, or that they lack decision-making capacity. These assumptions are often wrong and can lead to inadequate care, missed screening opportunities, and health disparities (Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education, 2019; CMS, 2021; Smeltzer & Sharts-Hopko, 2005; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2025). Instead:

Do not assume screening is inappropriate or impossible based solely on disability status. Assess each patient individually, considering cervical cancer risk factors, screening history, sexual history, HPV vaccination status, trauma history, patient preferences, safety, and comfort.
Inquire about previous cervical cancer screening experiences and any concerns or accommodations needed, recognizing that some patients may have had negative healthcare experiences that affect their willingness to undergo a screening.
Respect the patient’s autonomy in medical decision making and evaluate capacity for informed consent based on their demonstrated understanding, not disability status.
Ask about sexual activity in a nonjudgmental, routine manner and use specific plain language descriptions of sexual activity.

Asking About Sexual Activity

A practical approach is the CDC Five P's, adapted for accessibility: Partners, Practices, Protection from STIs, Past history of STIs, and Prevention of pregnancy.

Use concrete, specific wording (e.g., 'Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?' rather than 'Are you in a relationship?').
Use simple yes / sometimes / no formats where possible and avoid compound or negatively phrased questions.
Normalize the questions ('I ask all my patients these questions').
Offer confidential, one-on-one time separate from caregivers. A patient may not disclose sexual activity or abuse in a caregiver's presence.
An STI can prompt consideration of abuse, but STIs also result from consensual relationships; do not assume.

For more guidance on disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare, check out the National Coalition for Sexual Health's Clinician's Guide to Disability-Informed Care.

A Note on Guardianship and Conservatorship

Some disabled patients may have a legal guardian or conservator; however, disability status alone does not determine a person's ability to make healthcare decisions. Guardianship and conservatorship arrangements vary considerably in scope and may apply to some decisions but not others.

Healthcare providers should:

Review the patient’s medical record before the appointment to understand any guardianship or conservatorship arrangements.
Determine whether the arrangement affects healthcare decision-making and whether there are limitations relevant to the screening visit.
Speak directly to the patient and involve them in discussions to the greatest extent possible.
Consult with your clinic’s legal, compliance, or risk management team if there is uncertainty about consent requirements or decision-making authority.

To learn more about your state’s specific laws, connect with your state’s Protection & Advocacy organization.

Accommodation Planning

Accommodation planning should begin before the appointment and continue throughout the screening process. Early identification of accommodation needs allows healthcare teams to prepare appropriate equipment, communication supports, staffing, and appointment length. Effective accommodation planning can increase the likelihood of a successful screening experience and reduce barriers for patients with disabilities.

Accommodation Planning for Office Staff

During scheduling and intake, office staff should proactively inquire about accommodation needs and document them clearly for the clinical team. Staff should be prepared to discuss different accommodation options available and schedule additional time when accommodations are needed. Based on guidance from the Disability Equity Collaborative, consider including the following questions in your scheduling process:

General accommodation needs: “Due to a disability, do you need any additional assistance or accommodations during your visit?”

If YES, continue with the following questions:

“Are you deaf or do you have serious difficulty hearing?”
“Are you blind or do you have difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses?”
“Do you have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?”
“Do you have difficulty remembering or concentrating?”
“Do you have difficulty dressing or bathing?”
“Using your usual language, do you have difficulty communicating (for example, understanding or being understood)?”

These questions can be coded within electronic health records (EHRs) for consistency and data analysis. Please refer to Documenting Disability Status in Electronic Health Records by the Disability Equity Collaborative for more detailed guidance.

It may be necessary to schedule longer appointment slots when accommodations are needed. Consider scheduling longer appointment slots. Allow an extra 10–15 minutes for assistance with undressing or dressing, and consider doubling the appointment time when transfer or positioning assistance is needed.

Accommodation Planning for Healthcare Providers

In preparation for the patient’s visit, healthcare providers should do the following:

Review available documentation before the visit, including previous cervical cancer screening experiences, documented accommodations, communication preferences, positioning or transfer needs, and other relevant clinical notes that may affect the screening process.
Know what accommodations are possible and available in their setting.
Contact the patient before the appointment to discuss needed accommodations to safely and effectively complete the screening.
Ensure accessible equipment is available.
Room the patient in an exam room equipped with the necessary accessible equipment.

During the visit, healthcare providers should:

Summarize what they learned from the patient’s chart and confirm that they understand the patient’s needs.
Discuss any accommodations that the patient has said worked well in the past and confirm how they can assist them.
Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal signs that the patient may be confused, uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or in need of additional support. Hesitation, limited responses, changes in body language, difficulty following instructions, or signs of distress may indicate that explanations should be clarified or that additional accommodations are needed.

Some patients may find it difficult to identify accommodations without an understanding of what to expect. Explain the purpose of the screening and what they can expect in plain, simple language, using visual supports if needed. Use the Screening for All Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Guide for Patients to help explain the procedure and plan for accommodations.

After explaining the cervical cancer screening, ask questions like:

“What supports would make your cervical cancer screening accessible?”
“Have you had a cervical cancer screening or Pap smear before? What accommodations worked well?”
“If you had a negative experience, what went wrong? What would make it better?”
“Is there anything that might make positioning or movement difficult?”
“How do you prefer to communicate?”
“Do you experience mental health concerns, like anxiety or sensory issues, that might affect your ability to have a cervical cancer screening?”

Clinical Considerations and Accommodation Options by Disability Type

This section describes the barriers people with disabilities may experience with cervical cancer screening, related clinical considerations, and accommodations and strategies that healthcare providers can use to address these challenges during preventive care visits. Addressing these barriers is important because they can contribute to delayed screening, later-stage diagnosis, and poorer health outcomes. Although the guidance is organized by disability type, many accommodations may benefit patients across disability groups. Providers should use the full range of options to address each patient's individual needs, preferences, and circumstances rather than limiting support to a single disability category.

Mobility Disabilities

Clinical Considerations

Patients with mobility disabilities face multiple structural and procedural barriers to cervical cancer screening. Barriers can include:

Exam tables without height adjustment make it difficult or impossible for patients who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility to transfer safely.
The standard lithotomy position can be difficult, and some patients may require stabilization or assistance to maintain the position during a pelvic exam.
Spasticity, pain, and decreased range of motion may impact their ability to have a standard pelvic exam (Smeltzer & Sharts-Hopko, 2005).
Patients with a spinal cord injury above the T-6 level are at risk of experiencing autonomic dysreflexia during a pelvic exam.

Accommodation Options

If the patient needs accommodations: Consider scheduling longer appointment slots. Allow an extra 10–15 minutes for assistance with undressing or dressing, and consider doubling the appointment time when transfer or positioning assistance is needed.

If the patient needs assistance with undressing: Provide trained staff to assist patients who need help undressing/dressing with careful attention to dignity, privacy, and the patient’s preferences for assistance. Staff should ask the patient how they prefer assistance before helping.

If the patient cannot safely transfer to a standard exam table:

Room the patient in an exam room with a height-adjustable exam table. Tables should be able to lower to 17–19 inches from the ground for easier transfer, reducing the risk of injury to both patient and staff. If the clinic does not have a height-adjustable exam table, use stools and/or transfer aids.
Use stools or steps to make getting onto the exam table easier.
Use transfer aids such as slide boards, walkers, rollators, gait belts, or mechanical lifts, such as Hoyer lifts or Arjo Sara Stedy sit-to-stand lifts.
Extra staff trained in safe patient transfer may be necessary. It is a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for trained staff to assist in patient transfer (Department of Justice, n.d.).

If the patient cannot tolerate lithotomy position:

Offer the patient alternative positions, including knee chest position, diamond position, M position, V position, or using lithotomy stirrups (Ferreyra & Hughes, 1982). Patients should be offered options and allowed to choose what works best for them, rather than defaulting to standard positioning. See the resource in the Resources section for images and descriptions of alternative positions.
Use stabilization aids such as rolled towels, foam wedges, armrests on the exam table, leg holders, or caregiver/extra staff in the exam room to help patients maintain the position and/or hold their legs during the exam.

If the patient tenses up during speculum insertion:

Collectively decide on the smallest feasible size of the speculum that allows proper visualization.
Warm the speculum by running it under warm water. Warm water can be used as a lubricant in place of water-based lubricant.
Water-based lubricant can be applied sparingly to the exterior sides of the speculum blades, avoiding the tip.
Offer patient-controlled insertion, which may reduce discomfort and increase the likelihood of completing the exam. Before insertion, establish verbal or physical cues the patient can use to slow down, pause, or stop the procedure.

If the patient has spasticity:

Gently stretch the legs during positioning (Smeltzer & Sharts-Hopko, 2005). Because spasticity patterns and mobility vary, consult the patient’s physical therapist for specific stretches and positioning ideas, and ask the patient what stretches or positions they already use to manage tone or pelvic pain.
Application of 2% lidocaine to the perineum (Smeltzer & Sharts-Hopko, 2005).
Additional positioning assistance may be required (Milligan et al., 2020).

If the patient has a spinal cord injury and history of autonomic dysreflexia (AD):

Consult with a spinal rehabilitation specialist or other healthcare provider experienced with AD management if needed.
Ensure an AD protocol is in place and reviewed before the visit. The protocol should specify:
- Who is responsible for blood pressure checks and documentation,
- When to call for additional help or emergency services, and
- Which medications are available on site and how they are administered.
Ensure there is sufficient staff in the room who know the AD protocol to assist with positioning and monitoring.
Patients with spinal cord injuries and a history of AD often know what their triggers for autonomic dysreflexia are, such as tight clothes or a full bladder. Ask them before beginning the procedure and discuss what measures can be used to prevent triggers. Many patients with a history of AD carry an AD emergency plan or wallet card that you can ask to review.
Measure the patient’s blood pressure at baseline, then every few minutes during the procedure.
Water-based lubricant may be particularly useful for patients with spinal cord injuries and can be used sparingly. Water-based lubricant can potentially obscure the cytology results, so it must be used sparingly.
Consider coating the speculum in lidocaine (Milligan et al., 2020).
In patients with prior severe AD episodes triggered by pelvic procedures, consider prophylactic medication, such as nifedipine 30 minutes prior to the procedure (Milligan et al., 2020).

If the patient asks to stop, a speculum exam is contraindicated, or the exam is not possible despite accommodations, consider:

Self-collected or assisted self-collected HPV testing. If eligible, offer the patient an opportunity to collect their own HPV sample or provide assisted self-collection.
Referral to a healthcare provider with experience treating patients with disabilities. Some patients with disabilities may need to be referred to a specialist or require sedation for the screening to be successful. For patients with spinal cord injuries, especially those with a history of autonomic dysreflexia, a referral to a healthcare provider experienced in working with people with disabilities or consultation with a rehabilitation specialist may be necessary (Milligan et al., 2020).
Coordinate the screening to be performed under sedation.

Sensory Disabilities (Vision, Hearing, Deafblind)

Clinical Considerations

Patients with sensory disabilities face communication and information-access barriers that can interfere with cervical cancer screening and potentially lead to inadequate care, missed screenings, or traumatic experiences. These barriers are particularly concerning because effective communication is essential for informed consent, proper positioning, and patient safety. Effective communication is a prerequisite for informed consent, not an optional enhancement. These barriers can vary by disability type and can affect care quality in different ways.

For patients who are blind or have low vision, they may have difficulty accessing written materials, spatial orientation to exam environment, and procedure positioning.
For patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, communication barriers can lead to missed or misunderstood explanations and instructions. This can result in errors in care, inadequate informed consent, or discomfort during screening. The lack of qualified interpreters may lead to overreliance on writing or lipreading, which may be inadequate for some patients, particularly for patients who use American Sign Language (ASL) as a first language.
For patients who are deafblind, they require specialized tactile or adaptive communication support that healthcare providers may be unfamiliar with. Staff lacking experience with disability-specific communication needs can create additional barriers, leading to frustration, miscommunication, and potentially unsafe care situations.

Accommodation Options

Many patients with sensory disabilities, including disabilities related to vision and hearing, use auxiliary aids and services. Auxiliary aids and services are communication tools or assistance that enable effective communication. Examples include sign language interpreters (in person or via Video Remote Interpretation), Communication Access Real-Time (CART) caption services, Braille materials, large-print materials, audio materials, and more.

Best Practices:

Ask the patient what communication method they prefer. If your clinic is unable to provide that method, work with the patient to choose an alternative that results in effective communication.
Always speak directly to the patient instead of their support person or interpreter. Do not rely on family members or caregivers as interpreters except in emergencies.
Do not begin any explanation or procedure until the auxiliary aid or service is present and functioning.
If possible, schedule longer appointment slots (at least an extra 10–15 minutes) when interpreters or communication supports are needed so there is adequate time for communication exchange and processing.
If an auxiliary aid or service was used, document it and if it worked well for future reference.

If the patient is deaf or hard of hearing: Ask how the patient receives and expresses communication. Some patients understand spoken language but express themselves using sign language, so an interpreter may still be needed for the patient’s response.

If the patient cannot hear or see breathing cues during speculum insertion: Implement alternative signaling system (visual cues or tactile signals) established before procedure begins.

If the patient is using a sign language interpreter:

Do not begin the visit until the sign language interpreter is present.
Always speak directly to the patient. Maintain eye contact with the patient, not the interpreter. Refrain from verbal communication until the interpreter is present and in the line of sight of the patient.
Repeat and spell unfamiliar or medical terms.
Reposition the interpreter to ensure a clear line of sight or consider alternative communication methods if repositioning is not possible.
VRI should only be used if it can be viewable to the patient for the duration of the procedure. If this is not possible, then an in-person interpreter should be used instead. Additionally, VRI may not always work well depending on technology, connectivity, and patient preference.

If the patient’s family member or paid caregiver who shares decision-making uses sign language or is English limited: Provide interpretation. This could include sign language or a spoken language other than English.

If the patient is blind or has low vision:

Provide detailed verbal descriptions of the procedure, equipment, room layout, and positioning requirements before and during the examination.
Use appropriate touch (with permission) to guide positioning and provide tactile orientation to equipment and room features.
Describe sensations the patient may experience and provide warning before touching or repositioning to help them prepare for what they will feel.
Provide materials and written instructions in alternative formats upon request and in a timely manner. This may include large-print materials, screen-reader-compatible digital formats, or Braille materials.

If the patient is deafblind:

There are specialized deafblind interpreters who can provide tactile sign language interpretation. Always check what the patient’s preferred communication method is.
Use agreed-upon tactile signals for breathing cues, positioning guidance, and procedural updates.
Work collaboratively with the patient’s preferred communication method, interpreter, and support person, while ensuring the patient remains the primary decision maker.

Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Clinical Considerations

Patients with IDD face significant barriers to cervical cancer screenings that can lead to missed or delayed screenings or contribute to trauma. These barriers are particularly concerning given that people with IDD have similar screening needs as the general population but face additional risks that make regular screenings even more critical. Barriers include:

Healthcare providers may incorrectly assume individuals with IDD are not sexually active and, therefore, not at risk for HPV or cervical cancer. However, research shows that people with disabilities, including those with IDD, can and do have sex. One literature review found that young people with IDD are as likely to be sexually active as their peers without disabilities (Brown & McCann, 2018).
There is a high rate of sexual abuse among patients with IDD as women with disabilities are twice as likely to report sexual violence compared to women without disabilities, with women with IDD or multiple disabilities at greatest risk (Ledingham et al., 2022). This requires proactive, trauma-informed communication and screening accommodations.
Patients may have difficulty understanding medical terminology, screening recommendations, or procedural explanations without adapted communication strategies. Some patients may feel embarrassed to ask questions or disclose that they do not understand. This can lead to anxiety, misunderstanding, inadequate informed consent, or avoiding future screenings.
Patients with IDD, particularly autistic patients, may find the physical sensations of a pelvic exam distressing or intolerable without proper preparation and accommodation.

Accommodation Options

Communication Best Practices:

Plain language explanations: Use simple, plain language and short sentences; say, “I will look at your cervix now,” instead of “I am going to insert the speculum to visualize your cervical os.” Avoid medical jargon and acronyms. Practice and rehearse plain language scripts.
Visual supports and social stories: Photos, diagrams, and videos showing the room, equipment, and step-by-step process can reduce anxiety and support understanding. An example social story is included in the Resources section of this resource.
Check for understanding: Use teach-back techniques to ensure understanding of where the test occurs, how long it takes, what to expect, and the purpose.
Step-by-step narration: Describe each action before and during: “First, I will touch your knee. Now, I am warming the speculum.”
Extended appointment times: Schedule longer appointment slots (at least an extra 10–15 minutes), if possible.
Supported decision making: Collaborate with caregivers while ensuring the patient's preferences and autonomy are respected. Use communication aids or support people as needed but obtain consent from the patient directly whenever possible.

If the patient has sensory sensitivities (lighting, noise, etc.):

Ask patients about environmental modifications that would support their sensory needs. These modifications may include dimmed lighting, calming music, reduced noise, comfort items, sensory items, fidget toys, and minimized sensory stimuli.
Describe sensations patients may experience and provide warning before touching or repositioning to help patients prepare for what they will feel.

If the patient cannot tolerate a standard pelvic exam, consider:

Self-collected or assisted self-collected HPV testing. If eligible, offer the patient an opportunity to collect their own HPV sample or provide assisted self-collection.
Referral to a healthcare provider with experience treating patients with disabilities. Some patients with disabilities may need to be referred to a specialist or require sedation for the screening to be successful.
Coordinate the screening to be performed under sedation.

If the patient’s caregiver appears reluctant about screening due to sexual activity assumptions: Provide education about HPV transmission and cervical cancer risks in people with IDD, discuss that sexual activity status does not eliminate screening needs, and address caregiver concerns while emphasizing patient autonomy.

If the patient tenses up during speculum insertion:

Collectively decide on the smallest feasible size of the speculum that allows proper visualization.
Warm the speculum by running it under warm water. Warm water can be used as a lubricant in place of water-based lubricant.
Water-based lubricant can be applied sparingly to the exterior sides of the speculum blades, avoiding the tip.
Offer patient-controlled insertion, which may reduce discomfort and increase success. This can be done through verbal or physical cues to slow down or stop.

If the patient appears anxious about the procedure:

Offer preparatory visit or practice sessions to familiarize patients with the environment, equipment, and staff, which can increase the success of the screening and likelihood of completing future screenings. This may be difficult for some clinics to implement due to scheduling constraints, but it can contribute to a successful screening and positive experience in the long run and can be very valuable for some patients. An alternative is using a social story to help patients prepare.
Allow a trusted caregiver, advocate, or chaperone to remain present during the exam if the patient requests.

Alternative Screening Options

For some patients, standard cervical cancer screening may not be feasible despite accommodations. The following section discusses alternative screening approaches that may improve access while maintaining evidence-based cancer prevention.

Self-collected HPV Testing

Self-collection may be appropriate for patients with mobility limitations that affect feasibility of standard pelvic exams, those with a history of trauma or anxiety related to pelvic exams, and individuals with cognitive disabilities who may find self-collection less overwhelming. Consider offering HPV self-collected tests when a standard pelvic exam is not feasible, or if the patient does not want a pelvic exam. The accuracy of self-collected and clinician-collected HPV samples is similar. One randomized control trial found that there was no difference in false-positive rates between the two methods of collection (Polman et al., 2019). This evidence supports self-collection as a clinically equivalent alternative that can significantly expand screening access.

When offering self-collection, ensure that instructions are provided in accessible formats. Standard written instructions may not be sufficient for patients with visual impairments, reading difficulties, or cognitive disabilities. Consider providing instructions in multiple formats, including large print, audio recordings, videos, visual guides, or plain language versions. See the Screening for All Resource Library for patient resources on self-collection. Allow extra time for reviewing instructions and confirm the patient’s understanding before proceeding with collection.

Assisted Self-collection HPV Testing

Consider offering assisted self-collection when a standard pelvic exam is not feasible or the patient does not want a pelvic exam, and they cannot collect the sample independently. Assisted collection can be performed by healthcare professionals or caregivers depending on the patient’s preferences, consent, and clinic policies. This option is particularly valuable for patients with severe physical disabilities, limited hand dexterity, or cognitive disabilities.

Future Considerations for HPV Testing

While the FDA currently approves self-collected HPV testing only in clinical settings, research is underway to evaluate self-collection at home in the United States. At-home self-collection is already used in countries such as Australia, the Netherlands, and parts of Canada, where it has increased screening participation among populations that face barriers to traditional clinic-based screening, including some people with disabilities.

If approved in the future, at-home self-collection or assisted self-collection could help address barriers related to transportation, accessibility, and examination-related challenges. These options may increase cervical cancer screening rates among some people with disabilities. Healthcare providers should remain aware of evolving research and regulatory developments so they can discuss emerging screening options with patients, support continued engagement in cervical cancer prevention, and advocate for approaches that may improve screening access.

Follow-up and Continuity Considerations

Accessibility does not end when the screening is complete. Accessible communication, documentation of successful accommodations, and coordination of follow-up care are important for maintaining continuity and reducing barriers during future visits. The following considerations can help healthcare providers support ongoing cervical cancer prevention and ensure that accommodation needs are carried forward across care settings.

Results Communication

Provide results in accessible formats appropriate to the patient's communication needs. Take note of the patient’s preferred communication methods (e.g., phone call, email/patient portal message, text message, etc.) Use plain language summaries for patients with intellectual disabilities, ensure interpreter services for deaf patients, and provide large print or screen-reader compatible formats for patients with vision disabilities. Explain what results mean for the patient and any recommended follow-up actions.

Documentation of Accommodations

Clearly document all accommodations used and their effectiveness in the patient's medical record. Include specific details about positioning aids, communication methods, and environmental modifications that worked well to facilitate future appointments. Documenting successful accommodations in a visible location (e.g., accommodation field, care plan, pop up notes, or problem list) improves continuity across visits and healthcare providers.

Setting Expectations for Future Screenings

Explain to patients when they should expect their next screening. Ensure that accommodation information is transferred when referring to specialists or other facilities.

Coordination with Specialists

If referring patients for screening with a specialist or under sedation, or for diagnosis or treatment, clearly communicate accommodation needs and successful strategies to the receiving healthcare provider’s office to ensure continuity of accessible care.

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