screeners

Screeners are tools or processes designed to identify individuals or items that may require further evaluation. They aim to triage risk, likelihood, or suitability and are typically preliminary rather than definitive tests. A positive screen is usually followed by confirmatory testing or a more detailed assessment.

In healthcare, screening tools are used to detect disease or risk in populations or to triage patients for diagnostic testing. Examples include risk-questionnaires for cardiovascular disease, mammography, colorectal cancer screening, newborn metabolic screens, and prenatal screening. Performance is described by sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.

In security and safety, screeners assess people or goods for threats or prohibited items. This includes airport screening (metal detectors and body scanners), facility access checks, and document verification. Ethical and privacy considerations, along with statutory standards, guide these procedures.

In information technology and finance, screeners act as filters to select items meeting predefined criteria. Stock screeners filter securities by price, fundamentals, or indicators; email and content filters classify messages as spam or risky; and employment screening assesses candidates based on background checks and qualifications.

Limitations include false positives and negatives, biased results, privacy concerns, and potential overreliance on screening outcomes. Effective screening programs rely on validated tools, clear follow-up protocols, and ongoing evaluation.