Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Pediatric Inpatient Problem List Review and Accuracy Improvement
Nancy Liao1,2, Rena Kasick3,2, Karen Allen3,2
1Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; and nancy.liao@nationwidechildrens.org.
Insights
Improving the problem list (PL) review rate for hospital inpatients increased from 70% to 90%, enhancing patient safety and communication. This quality improvement initiative also reduced duplicate and unresolved diagnoses, boosting electronic health record data accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Electronic Health Records
- Patient Safety
Background:
- The problem list (PL) is crucial for electronic health record (EHR) documentation and provider communication.
- Inconsistent or inaccurate PLs can lead to diagnostic delays and patient safety events.
- The study focused on improving PL review and accuracy in pediatric and infectious disease services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To increase the rate of PL review by attending physicians from 70% to 80% for discharged inpatients.
- To sustain the improved PL review rate for at least 6 months.
- To decrease the rate of duplicate and unresolved (red code) diagnoses in the PL to 5%.
Main Methods:
- A quality improvement team utilized the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement.
- Duplicate and red codes were tracked as indicators of PL quality.
- Monthly analysis of PL review and quality rates was performed using statistical process control charts.
Main Results:
- PL review rate increased from a baseline of 70% to 90% and was sustained for one year.
- Duplicate codes at discharge decreased from 12% to 6%.
- Red codes decreased from a baseline of 11% to 6%.
Conclusions:
- The problem list is an underutilized but vital communication tool.
- Engaging stakeholders, incentivizing compliance, standardizing management, EHR enhancements, and physician feedback improved PL meaningful use and quality.
- The implemented strategies successfully enhanced both the utilization and accuracy of the problem list.
Background And Objectives:
The problem list (PL) is a meaningful use-incentivized criterion for electronic health record documentation. Inconsistent use or inaccuracy of the PL can create communication gaps among providers, potentially leading to diagnostic delays and serious safety events. The objective of the study was to increase the rate of PL review by attending physicians for inpatients discharged from hospital pediatrics and infectious disease services from a baseline of 70% to 80% by June 2018 and to sustain the rate for 6 months. The secondary aim was to improve PL accuracy by decreasing the rate of duplicate codes and red code diagnoses that should resolve before discharge from a baseline of 12% and 11%, respectively, to 5% and sustaining the rate for 6 months.
Methods:
A quality improvement team used the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement. We tracked duplicate codes and red codes as surrogate markers of PL quality. Rates of PL review and PL quality were analyzed monthly via statistical process control charts (p-charts) with 3-σ control limits to identify special cause variation.
Results:
PL review improved from a baseline of 70% to 90%, and the change was sustained for 1 year. PL quality improved as duplicate codes at the time of discharge decreased from 12% to 6% and as red codes decreased from a baseline of 11% to 6%.
Conclusions:
The PL is an important communication tool that is underused. By engaging and educating stakeholders, incentivizing compliance, standardizing PL management, leveraging electronic health record enhancements, and providing physician feedback, we improved PL meaningful use and quality.
Related Concept Videos
Methods of Documentation III: PIE
Methods of Documentation II: POMR
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic...
Planning Nursing Care I

