Improvement Science Increases Routine Lipid Screening in General Pediatric Cardiology

To evaluate the effectiveness of patient education, physician counseling, and point-of-care (POC) testing on improving adherence to lipid screening national guidelines in a general pediatric cardiology practice (2017-2023).

Regional primary care providers were surveyed regarding lipid screening practices. Key drivers were categorized (physician, patient, and system) with corresponding interventions. Pediatric cardiologists started offering lipid screening during regular visits by providing families with preventive cardiovascular education materials and lab phlebotomy testing. System redesign included educational posters, clinical intake protocol, physician counseling, electronic health record integration, and POC testing. Run charts and statistical process control charts measured screening rates and key processes.

The primary care survey response rate was 32% (95/294); 97% supported pediatric cardiologists conducting routine lipid screening. Pediatric cardiology mean baseline lipid screening rate was 0%, increased to 7% with patient education, and to 61% after system redesign including POC testing. Screening rates among 1467 patients were similar across age groups (P = .98). More patients received lipid screening by POC (91.7%) compared with phlebotomy (8.3%). Lipid abnormalities detected did not differ by screening methodology (P = .49).

Patient education, counseling, and POC testing improved adherence to national lipid screening guidelines, providing a possible model for primary care implementation.