Improving documentation of pediatric overweight and obesity prevention and management in the primary care setting

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Date

2022-05

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

One-third of our nation's children aged 2-18 years are either overweight or obese (OW/OB). The American Academy of Pediatrics Expert Committee Recommendations (AAP-ECR) provided guidelines for the assessment, prevention, and management of pediatric obesity. An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) conducted a quality improvement (QI) project to improve pediatric primary care providers' adherence to and documentation of the AAP-ECR algorithm. Using the plan, do, check, act model, the QI project assessed: 1) the feasibility of delivering an in-service to increase awareness of the guidelines, and 2) to improve documentation and demonstrate adherence to the guidelines in one pediatric primary care clinic. Assessments of attendance, participation, and logistical barriers confirmed the feasibility of the in-service. Criteria for adherence to the guidelines included documentation of 1) body mass index and corresponding diagnosis of OW/OB as applicable, 2) treatment plan, and 3) discussion of the need for a follow-up visit. Results of the QI project demonstrated an improvement in documentation of all three objectives from zero at baseline to 47.25% at completion of the project. Forty-two children were identified as either OW/OB. Findings support in-service as a mode to support primary care staff to improve documentation and adherence to the AAP-ECR algorithm.

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Child, United States, Overweight, Body Mass Index, Pediatric Obesity, Quality Improvement, Feasibility studies, Follow-Up Studies, Primary Health Care, Documentation, Pediatrics

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