Effects of Implementing a Standardized Surveillance Program on Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program Referral...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Variability in cardiac neurodevelopmental programs stems from inconsistent surveillance, impacting referral volumes and completion.
• Barriers to referral completion include high no-show rates, inadequate patient education, and accessibility issues for underrepresented groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a standardized surveillance program in a cardiac neurodevelopmental program.
• To investigate the program's impact on referral volume and completion rates over two fiscal years.

Main Methods:

• A standardized surveillance program was implemented, incorporating a neurodevelopmental risk assessment checklist, family education, and streamlined referral procedures.
• Referral data from fiscal years 2021 and 2022 were analyzed, categorizing referrals as complete or incomplete.
• Statistical analyses included two-sample Z tests of proportions and chi-square tests of independence to compare referral completion rates and demographic associations.

Main Results:

• Implementation led to a 66.7% increase in referral volume.
• Significant reductions were observed in overall incomplete referrals (p < 0.05) and physician-related incomplete referrals (p < 0.01).
• A significant association was found between referral completion and race/ethnicity (p < 0.01), with a higher completion rate for Hispanic/Latino patients.

Conclusions:

• The standardized surveillance program successfully improved referral volume and completion rates.
• Findings support physician-focused surveillance methods and enhanced accessibility to reduce disparities for marginalized populations.
• The program demonstrated effectiveness in improving access and quality of care for at-risk groups.