ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem because of its high incidence and mortality in developing countries and is, therefore, a priority in global health. Organized screening programs can reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer due to the early detection of precancerous lesions.
Objective:
To evaluate the incomplete information from cervical cytology test requisitions of the National Cancer Control Programme of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH), verifying the percentage of non-completion in a municipality in western Paraná, Brazil.
Methods:
A retrospective and quantitative study was carried out, based on data from cervical cytology test requisitions, from women attended by the Unified Health System [Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)] in a municipality in western Paraná from May 2014 to May 2015.
Results:
The failure to provide the information occurred in 9,010 (40.9%) requisitions. The information not provided is mandatory for the health team responsible for collecting this exam in accordance with MoH guidelines.
Conclusion:
There is a need for professional training about filling in the information on requisitions, because they collaborate with the increase of the sensitivity and specificity of the cytology test, thus allowing more reliable results that aid in patient safety.
Key words:
cervix; patient safety; Pap smear test