Telemedicine Quality Improvement during the Corona Virus 2019 Pandemic Increases Pediatric Weight Management Access

Authors

Monique K. Vallabhan, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Kathryne Foos, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Patricia Roldan, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Sylvia Negrete, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Janet M Page-Reeves, University of New Mexico, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Elizabeth Y. Jimenez, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Alberta S. Kong, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The corona virus 2019 pandemic disrupted care for pediatric patients with chronic conditions, including those with childhood obesity. Lockdowns forced providers to create new ways of caring for this population. Telemedicine was a promising but previously unavailable solution. This quality improvement report details how the Healthy and Fit Children's Clinic transitioned and improved care via telemedicine.

METHODS: Between March 2020 and April 2021, the quality improvement project team incorporated the Model for Improvement to transition the clinic to telemedicine. The team tracked Healthy and Fit Children's Clinic appointments, no-shows, billing and reimbursement data, and noted unintended consequences or unanticipated barriers. Patients and their families were given a satisfaction survey at the end of each telemedicine encounter.

RESULTS: Compared with pre-telemedicine implementation, there was a 120% increase in completed patient clinic visits per week and a sustained positive shift above the established baseline. Telemedicine no-show rates achieved50% pre- and post-telemedicine implementation. There was a 74% increase in monthly billing and a sustained positive shift above the pre-telemedicine baseline. On average, patients rated all six satisfaction questions ≥92 on the 100-point scale (compared with 83 pre-telemedicine).

CONCLUSIONS: This transition to telemedicine was successful and could be translatable to other clinic sites. Patients attended their clinic visits more consistently and were highly satisfied with their care. In a population where continuity of care is paramount, telemedicine shows promise as a tool to treat childhood obesity.

Publication Title

Pediatr Qual Saf

ISSN

2472-0054

Volume

9

Issue

3

First Page

731

Last Page

731

DOI

10.1097/pq9.0000000000000731

Language (ISO)

English

Recommended Citation

Vallabhan MK, Foos K, Roldan P, Negrete S, Page-Reeves JM, Jimenez EY, Kong AS. Telemedicine Quality Improvement during the Corona Virus 2019 Pandemic Increases Pediatric Weight Management Access. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2024 May 9;9(3):e731. doi: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000731. PMID: 38751895; PMCID: PMC11093564.