Clinical Quality Improvement for Identification and Management of Overweight in Pediatric Primary Care Practices

Abstract

The purpose of the Pediatric Overweight Quality Improvement Initiative (POWQII) was to demonstrate the feasibility and value of simple interventions for improving pediatric care and to address the additional needs of overweight and obese children. Practices were recruited from around New Mexico, with 16 pediatricians completing the POWQII within 9 to 12 months. Initially, documentation of BMI percentile across all practices was only 49%, increasing to more than 90% on average following the first intervention and eventually reaching an average of 99%. Nutrition and physical activity counseling started at 52% and 39%, respectively, increasing to 87% for nutrition and 77% for physical activity. Diagnosis of POW patients improved over the course of the POWQII (67% to 94%). This intervention’s potential impact can extend to a larger population of patients, resulting in twice as many receiving screening for POW and increasing best practices known to improve ongoing care and patient outcomes.