Warning: file_get_contents(https://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=33977191&cmd=llinks): Failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 429 Too Many Requests
in C:\Inetpub\vhosts\kidney.de\httpdocs\pget.php on line 215
Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Quality Improvement Principles: A New York City Pediatric Primary Care Experience #MMPMID33977191
Friedman S; Krause MC; Pethe K; Caddle S; Finkel M; Glassman ME; Kostacos C; Robbins-Milne L; Bracho-Sanchez E; Soren K; Stockwell M; Lane M
Pediatr Qual Saf 2021[May]; 6 (3): e402 PMID33977191show ga
In the setting of COVID-19, pediatric primary care in New York City faced multiple challenges, requiring large-scale practice reorganization. We used quality improvement principles to implement changes to care delivery rapidly. METHODS: Plan-do-study-act cycles were used, based on primary drivers of consolidation, reorganization of in-person and urgent care, telehealth expansion, patient outreach, mental health linkages, team communication, and safety. RESULTS: The average visit volume in pediatrics decreased from 662 per week to 370. Telehealth visits increased from 2 to 140 per week, whereas urgent in-person visits decreased from 350 to 8 per week. Adolescent visits decreased from 57 to 46 per week. Newborn Clinic visits increased from 37 per week to 54. Show rates increased significantly for pediatrics and adolescent (P = 0.003 and P = 0.038, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement methodology allowed for the consolidation of pediatric primary care practices during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring care for patients while prioritizing safety, evidence-based practices, and available resources.