Improving Evidence-based Management of Children and Adolescents with Elevated Blood Pressure during a Well-Child Encounter: A Quality Initiative

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric hypertension requires accurate diagnosis and management to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across the lifespan. Despite national guidelines, hypertension (HTN) is one of the most frequently missed diagnoses within pediatric primary care. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve the management of patients aged 3–18 years with elevated blood pressure (BP) by 25% during a well-child encounter. METHODS: Over one year, a single-center QI project was conducted at an academic general pediatrics center. Multidisciplinary interventions, including team education, workflow standardization, and clinical decision support tools, were implemented using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to improve adherence to evidence-based guidelines. Outcome measures were the percentage of youth with an elevated BP on screening who had documentation of provider actions. We used run charts to analyze the effect of interventions, and descriptive statistics for demographic data and process measures pre- and postintervention. Chi-square tests compared process measures pre- and postintervention and provider actions stratified by age. RESULTS: Key drivers of change were the percentage of documented confirmatory BPs, BP stage, and scheduled follow-up appointments. At baseline, 13% of children with elevated BP on screening had guideline-adherent provider actions documented. This increased to 40% postintervention; however, discrepancies in adherence stratified by age were observed. Youth 13 and older were significantly more likely to receive a provider action than younger children (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: BP management during a well-child encounter improved with multidisciplinary interventions that increased knowledge of evidence-based guidelines and standardized care.