An evaluation of recorded information about preventive measures in 38 practices

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a review of practice records for information about various preventive measures; 8,500 records from 38 practices were studied. In collecting the data a Practice Activity Analysis data sheet was used.The results are presented in a way which makes it possible for others undertaking these analyses to compare their results with those reported here. They point to a number of conclusions, in particular:1. Much less cervical cytology has been done for women in their 50s than for those in their 30s and 40s; in particular 45 per cent of women in their 50s have never had a smear.2. Only 35 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 were known to be immune to rubella.3. Only 14 per cent of adults aged 20 to 40 were known to be immune to polio.4. Of men in their 40s, 47 per cent had no record of their blood pressure having been taken during the previous 10 years.5. Information about smoking habits was available in 23 per cent of records.