Screening for Nephropathy in Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes: Quality Improvement to Increase Nephropathy Screening

• Published in: Pediatric quality & safety 2024-05, Vol.9 (3), p.e734-e734
• Main Authors: Mann, Elizabeth A, Alexander, Kelsi, Beaton, Whitney, Roe, Elizabeth B, Grant, Amy, Shadman, Kristin A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Individual QI projects from single institutions
• ISSN: 2472-0054; 2472-0054
• DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000734

Screening for early detection of microalbuminuria signaling kidney disease should begin as early as the time of diagnosis of youth-onset type 2 diabetes. This quality improvement initiative aimed to standardize urine nephropathy screening in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes at a tertiary academic medical center and increase a baseline screening rate of 56%-75% over 6 months (September 2022-February 2023) and sustain that increase for 6 months (March through August 2023). A multi-disciplinary team used quality improvement methods and iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Targeted interventions included previsit planning workflow, education, and a new-onset triage protocol. The team collected data at baseline and prospectively by reviewing electronic medical records. The primary outcome measure was pediatric type 2 diabetes clinic visits in diabetes clinic with urine nephropathy screening before or on the visit date. A total of 121 youth were scheduled for T2D clinic visits between September 2021 and August 2023. The mean age was 14.5 years, and 60% were women, 40% were non-Hispanic Black, 28% were Hispanic/Latino, and 15% reported Spanish as their preferred language. Following the interventions of this project, urine nephropathy screening increased from 56% to 75%, and this change was sustained for 6 months. Interventions focused on efficient recognition of the population needing screening, coordinated internal processes around screening, a shared understanding between all stakeholders, and practical support in the healthcare system increased urine nephropathy screening with sustained improvement.