Quality Improvement In Primary Care Research Articles

Undercounting diagnoses in Australian general practice: a data quality study with implications for population health reporting

BackgroundDiagnosis can often be recorded in electronic medical records (EMRs) as free-text or using a term with a diagnosis code. Researchers, governments, and agencies, including organisations that deliver incentivised primary care quality improvement programs, frequently utilise coded data only and often ignore free-text entries. Diagnosis data are reported for population healthcare planning including resource allocation for patient care. This study sought to determine if diagnosis counts based on coded diagnosis data only, led to under-reporting of disease prevalence and if so, to what extent for six common or important chronic diseases.MethodsThis cross-sectional data quality study used de-identified EMR data from 84 general practices in Victoria, Australia. Data represented 456,125 patients who attended one of the general practices three or more times in two years between January 2021 and December 2022. We reviewed the percentage and proportional difference between patient counts of coded diagnosis entries alone and patient counts of clinically validated free-text entries for asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.ResultsUndercounts were evident in all six diagnoses when using coded diagnoses alone (2.57–36.72% undercount), of these, five were statistically significant. Overall, 26.4% of all patient diagnoses had not been coded. There was high variation between practices in recording of coded diagnoses, but coding for type 2 diabetes was well captured by most practices.ConclusionIn Australia clinical decision support and the reporting of aggregated patient diagnosis data to government that relies on coded diagnoses can lead to significant underreporting of diagnoses compared to counts that also incorporate clinically validated free-text diagnoses. Diagnosis underreporting can impact on population health, healthcare planning, resource allocation, and patient care. We propose the use of phenotypes derived from clinically validated text entries to enhance the accuracy of diagnosis and disease reporting. There are existing technologies and collaborations from which to build trusted mechanisms to provide greater reliability of general practice EMR data used for secondary purposes.

Process evaluation of a data-driven quality improvement program within a cluster randomised controlled trial to improve coronary heart disease management in Australian primary care.

This study evaluates primary care practices' engagement with various features of a quality improvement (QI) intervention for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in four Australian states. Twenty-seven practices participated in the QI intervention from November 2019 -November 2020. A combination of surveys, semi-structured interviews and other materials within the QUality improvement in primary care to prevent hospitalisations and improve Effectiveness and efficiency of care for people Living with heart disease (QUEL) study were used in the process evaluation. Data were summarised using descriptive statistical and thematic analyses for 26 practices. Sixty-four practice team members and Primary Health Networks staff provided feedback, and nine of the 63 participants participated in the interviews. Seventy-eight percent (40/54) were either general practitioners or practice managers. Although 69% of the practices self-reported improvement in their management of heart disease, engagement with the intervention varied. Forty-two percent (11/26) of the practices attended five or more learning workshops, 69% (18/26) used Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, and the median (Interquartile intervals) visits per practice to the online SharePoint site were 170 (146-252) visits. Qualitative data identified learning workshops and monthly feedback reports as the key features of the intervention. Practice engagement in a multi-featured data-driven QI intervention was common, with learning workshops and monthly feedback reports identified as the most useful features. A better understanding of these features will help influence future implementation of similar interventions. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) number ACTRN12619001790134.

Longitudinal Medical Student Collaborative Care in Primary Care Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

The Education-Centered Medical Home (ECMH) is a longitudinal clerkship that emphasizes continuity and quality improvement in primary care. We aimed to evaluate our ECMH's ability to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) care through a systematic chart audit and care planning process. The effect of this intervention was measured by adherence to process and outcome measures. From November 2015 to March 2017, medical students were educated on and performed monthly chart audits of guideline-based quality metrics: hemoglobin A1c systolic blood pressure; lipid and microalbuminuria evaluation; annual ophthalmic and foot examinations; flu, hepatitis, and pneumonia vaccination; and statin therapy. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of T2DM and were seen by the ECMH clinic before and after the audits started. Students shared audit logs, using them to plan patient appointments. We assessed changes in proportion of patients meeting each guideline with Fisher's exact test. The project included 11 patients with T2DM. ECMH adherence to the annual eye exam increased significantly 1 year postintervention, compared to preintervention (73% vs 55%; P=.03) and 6 months (73% vs 46%, P=.01). The metric with significant improvement during the chart audit, annual eye exam, is a process measure requiring advance planning. This small study suggests that a formal, regular audit process can improve student adherence to evidence-based care guidelines, particularly for tasks that require advance planning or action by the care team outside the day of a patient visit.

Barriers to and enablers of quality improvement in primary health care in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

The quality of health care remains generally poor across primary health care settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries where tertiary care tends to take up much of the limited resources despite primary health care being the first (and often the only) point of contact with the health system for nearly 80 per cent of people in these countries. Evidence is needed on barriers and enablers of quality improvement initiatives. This systematic review sought to answer the question: What are the enablers of and barriers to quality improvement in primary health care in low- and middle-income countries? It adopted an integrative review approach with narrative evidence synthesis, which combined qualitative and mixed methods research studies systematically. Using a customized geographic search filter for LMICs developed by the Cochrane Collaboration, Scopus, Academic Search Ultimate, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PSYCHINFO, EMBASE, ProQuest Dissertations and Overton.io (a new database for LMIC literature) were searched in January and February 2023, as were selected websites and journals. 7,077 reports were retrieved. After removing duplicates, reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts, performed quality appraisal and data extraction, followed by analysis and synthesis. 50 reports from 47 studies were included, covering 52 LMIC settings. Six themes related to barriers and enablers of quality improvement were identified and organized using the model for understanding success in quality (MUSIQ) and the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR). These were: microsystem of quality improvement, intervention attributes, implementing organization and team, health systems support and capacity, external environment and structural factors, and execution. Decision makers, practitioners, funders, implementers, and other stakeholders can use the evidence from this systematic review to minimize barriers and amplify enablers to better the chances that quality improvement initiatives will be successful in resource-limited settings. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023395166.

Peer groups for medical professionals in Ukraine: experience of implementing an innovative format of continuing professional development

The training of medical professionals does not end with graduation – continuing professional development (CPD) should be integrated in the professional life of each medical professional. Peer groups, an innovative format of CPD, were launched in the Netherlands in 1979. Subsequently, in 1980-1990, this format spread to other European countries and became an important method of quality improvement in primary health care. Research on peer groups is rare, and especially for Eastern Europe. The purpose of this study, which is unique for the region and Ukraine, is to describe the context and results of implementation and functioning of the first peer groups in Ukraine among doctors, nurses, and primary care managers. The methodology of the study is a case study, which was implemented through (a) data analysis – a description of the experience that was independently prepared by the facilitators of the newly created peer groups, reflected in text and graphic information on posters, and voiced their stories orally during the Congress of Peer Group Facilitators (October 2021), (b) analysis of facilitators’ publications on social media that highlight their experience, (c) analysis of semi-structured interviews during supervision and organizational meetings on the implementation and development of peer groups, (d) analysis of an expert interview with a Swiss medical doctor who was also involved in the development of peer groups in Ukraine. The results of the study are as follows: more than half of the trained facilitators have created their own peer groups; such groups have been functioning for several years despite COVID-19 and Russia’s full-scale invasion of the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Facilitators and participants of peer groups emphasize not only the educational contribution of peer groups to their profession, but also the social and psychological one. Barriers to the creation and sustainability of peer groups include lack of management support, lack of time, motivation and formal incentives (CPD points). Peer groups as one of the approaches to continuous professional development are gradually creating a culture of learning in healthcare facilities, bringing more trust in the interaction of professionals with each other and improving the quality of care provided.

Impact of a multicomponent integrated care delivery program on diabetes care goals achievement: a primary care quality improvement initiative

AimTo evaluate the impact of multicomponent integrated care (MIC) delivery program in a primary care real-life setting on diabetes care goals. MethodsPatients with T2D and usual primary care from the public health system in Mexico were invited to participate in a five-month ambulatory MIC quality initiative (DIAbetes Empowerment and Improvement of Care program, DIABEMPIC). Results841 patients who finished the program and with complete data were analyzed. The patients had a mean decrease in hemoglobin A1c, systolic and diastolic pressure, and LDL-cholesterol of 2.4%, 9 mmHg, 3 mmHg, and 22.5 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.001). The achievement of the optimal triple target goal increased from 1.8% to 26.7% (p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, the diabetes knowledge and global self-care behavior score post-intervention, as well as the increment of global self-care behavior score were associated with the optimal composite risk factor control achievement. ConclusionThe incorporation of diabetes therapeutic education interventions to improve self-care behaviors along with adequate treatment intensification in diabetes care are fundamental to attaining optimal risk factor control and attenuating disease burden.

Care Management Processes Important for High-Quality Diabetes Care.

Identify the improvement in diabetes performance measures and population-based clinical outcomes resulting from changes in care management processes (CMP) in primary care practices over 3 years. This repeated cross-sectional study tracked clinical performance measures for all diabetes patients seen in a cohort of 330 primary care practices in 2017 and 2019. Unit of analysis was patient-year with practice-level CMP exposures. Causal inference is based on dynamic changes in individual CMPs between years by practice. We used the Bayesian method to simultaneously estimate a five-outcome model: A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, guideline-based statin use, and Optimal Diabetes Care (ODC). We control for unobserved time-invariant practice characteristics and secular change. We modeled correlation of errors across outcomes. Statistical significance was identified using 99% Bayesian credible intervals (analogous to P < 0.01). Implementation of 18 of 62 CMPs was associated with statistically significant improvements in patient outcomes. Together, these resulted in 12.1% more patients meeting ODC performance measures. Different CMPs affected different outcomes. Three CMPs accounted for 47% of the total ODC improvement, 68% of A1c decrease, 21% of SBP reduction, and 55% of statin use increase: 1) systems for identifying and reminding patients due for testing, 2) after-visit follow-up by a nonclinician, and 3) guideline-based clinician reminders for preventive services during a clinic visit. Effective quality improvement in primary care focuses on practice redesign that clearly improves diabetes outcomes. Tailoring CMP adoption in primary care provides effective improvement in ODC performance through focused changes in diabetes outcomes.

An Approach to Evaluating Multisector Partnerships to Support Evidence-Based Quality Improvement in Primary Care.

Quality improvement (QI) interventions in primary care are increasingly designed and implemented by multisector partnerships, yet little guidance exists on how to best monitor or evaluate these partnerships. The goal of this project was to describe an approach for evaluating the development and effectiveness of a multisector partnership using data from the first year of the Healthy Hearts for Michigan (HH4M) Cooperative, a multisector partnership of nine organizations tasked with designing and implementing evidence-based QI strategies for hypertension management and tobacco cessation in 50 rural primary care practices. The researchers developed a 49-item online survey focused on factors that facilitate or hinder multisector partnerships, drawing on implementation science and partnership, engagement, and collaboration research. The team surveyed all 44 members of the HH4M Cooperative (79.5% response rate) and conducted interviews with 14 members. The interviews focused on implementation phase-specific goals, accomplishments, and challenges. Descriptive analysis was used for the survey results, and thematic analysis for the interview data. Respondents reported strong overall performance by the Cooperative during its first year, which facilitated the successful completion of several intervention design tasks. Strengths included having a clear purpose and trust and respect among members. Areas for improvement included a need for common terminology, clarification of roles and functions, and improvement in communication across workgroups. Lack of engagement from physician practices due to capacity constraints, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, was the Cooperative's biggest challenge. This multimethod approach to evaluating the development and effectiveness of a multisector partnership yielded practical, actionable feedback to program leaders.

Declining Participation in Primary Care Quality Improvement Research: A Qualitative Study.

There are numerous supportive quality improvement (QI) projects to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based practices in primary care, but recruiting physician practices to join these projects is challenging, costly, and time consuming. We aimed to identify factors leading primary care practices to decline participation in QI projects, and strategies to improve the feasibility and attractiveness of QI projects in the future. For this qualitative study, we contacted 109 representatives of practices that had declined participation in 1 of 4 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-funded EvidenceNOW projects. The representatives were invited to participate in a 15-minute interview or complete a 5-question questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to organize and characterize findings. Representatives from 31 practices (28.4% of those contacted) responded. Overwhelmingly, respondents indicated that staff turnover, staffing shortages, and general time constraints, exacerbated by the pandemic, prevented participation in the QI projects. Challenges with electronic health records, an expectation of greater financial compensation for participation, and confidence in the practices' current care practices were secondary reasons for declining participation. Tying participation to value-based programs and offering greater compensation were identified as strategies to facilitate recruitment. None of the respondents' recommendations, however, addressed the primary issues of staffing challenges and time constraints. Staffing challenges and general time constraints, exacerbated by the pandemic, are compromising primary care practices' ability to engage in QI research projects. To encourage participation, policy makers should consider direct supports for primary care, which may also help to alleviate burnout.

The evaluation of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles for a healthcare quality improvement intervention in primary care.

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle is an iterative framework that has been gaining traction in primary care for quality improvement. However, its implementation remains understudied. This study evaluated the completion, achievement of goal, content quality, and enablers and barriers associated with completion of high-quality PDSA cycles in cardiovascular disease management in general practices. This study analysed data from intervention practices of the QUality improvement in primary care to prevent hospitalisations and improve Effectiveness and efficiency of care for people Living people with coronary heart disease (QUEL) study. Content quality of cycles was assessed using a scoring system created based on established criteria of ideal PDSA cycles in the healthcare context. Practice-level factors associated with completion and cycles achieving the planned goal were explored through logistic regression models, and with content quality score through linear regression model. Enablers and barriers were assessed using thematic analysis of practices' responses to the PDSA sections. Ninety-seven cycles were reported by 18/26 (69%) practices. Seventy-seven percent of the cycles were completed and 68% achieved the planned goal. Content quality was low, with a median score of 56% (interquartile interval: 44%, 67%). Odds of cycles that were completed and achieved what was planned increased by 3.6- and 9.6-fold, respectively, with more general practitioners (GPs) within practices. Content quality was higher by 15% with more GPs. Lack of interprofessional engagement was a barrier to implementation. Cycles were well completed, but poor in content quality, with high variability between practices. Human or capital resources and organisational support may be critical for the completion and cycles achieving the planned goals.

Incentivos financeiros para mudança de modelo na atenção básica dos municípios paulistas

Abstract This article aims to characterize financial transfers within the scope of the Primary Care Block to the municipalities of the state of São Paulo, in the period between 2011 and 2017, and its relationship with the health care model change in Primary Health Care (PHC). This is a descriptive and exploratory study, of quantitative nature and with a retrospective longitudinal section. Transfers that occurred within the scope of the Variable Primary Care Floor (Variable PCF) were analyzed, aggregated according to its link with the model change. Family Health Strategy (FHS) coverage, number of home visits, and the percentage of municipalities that adhered to the Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ) were also considered. The results indicate the relevance of the Incentives for model change in the financing of primary health care in the state of São Paulo, especially for small municipalities, suggesting the interest of these municipalities in implementing the proposed measures. However, there are obstacles to identifying changes in practices, thus the current health care model is not properly explained from the analyzed indicators. In conclusion, complementing the use of funding as a model change-inducing device with evaluative processes specifically aimed at consolidating comprehensive PHC is needed.

Developing a model for primary care quality improvement success: a comparative case study in rural, urban and Kaupapa Māori organisations.

Introduction Primary care is under pressure to achieve accessible, equitable, quality health care, while being increasingly under resourced. There is a need to understand factors that influence quality improvement (QI) to support a high-performing primary care system. Literature highlights the impact of context on QI but there is little primary care research on this topic. Aim This qualitative case study research seeks to discover the contextual factors influencing QI in primary care, and how the relationships between contextual factors, the QI initiative, and the implementation process influence outcomes. Methods The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to frame this qualitative study exploring primary care experiences in depth. Six sites were selected to provide a sample of rural, urban and Kaupapa Māori settings. Qualitative data was collected via semi-structured interviews and compared and contrasted with the organisational documents and data provided by participants. Results Cases reported success in achieving improved outcomes for patients, practices, and staff. Strong internal cultures of 'Clan' and 'Adhocracy' typologies supported teamwork, distributed leadership, and a learning climate to facilitate iterative sensemaking activities. To varying degrees, external network relationships provided resources, knowledge, and support. Discussion Organisations were motivated by a combination of patient/community need and organisational culture. Network relationships assisted to varying degrees depending on need. Engaged and distributed leadership based on teamwork was observed, where leadership was shared and emerged at different levels and times as the need arose. A learning climate was supported to enable iterative sensemaking activities to achieve success.

Considerations for Creating a Restricted Data Environment with Complete Primary Care Electronic Medical Record Data.

Background: Historically, primary care databases have been limited to subsets of the full electronic medical record (EMR) data to maintain privacy. With the progression of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques (i.e., machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning), practice-based research networks (PBRNs) have an opportunity to utilize previously difficult to access data to conduct essential primary care research and quality improvement. However, to ensure patient privacy and data security, novel infrastructure and processes are required. We describe the considerations related to accessing complete EMR data on a large-scale within a Canadian PBRN. Setting: Queen's Family Medicine Restricted Data EnviroNment (QFAMR), Department of Family Medicine (DFM), Queen's University, Canada Methods: QFAMR is a central holding repository hosted at the Centre for Advanced Computing at Queen's University. Complete, de-identified EMR records (e.g., full chart notes, PDFs, and free text) from approximately 18,000 patients from Queen's DFM can be accessed. An iterative process over 2021-2022 was used to develop QFAMR infrastructure in collaboration with Queen's DFM members and stakeholders. Results: In May 2021, the QFAMR standing research committee was established for review and approval of all potential projects. DFM members consulted with Queen's University computing, privacy, legal, and ethics experts to develop data access processes, policies and governance, agreements, and associated documents. Initial QFAMR projects involved applying and improving de-identification processes for DFM-specific full-chart notes. Five major elements were recurrent throughout the QFAMR development process: data and technology, privacy, legal documentation, decision-making frameworks, and ethics and consent. Conclusion: Overall, the development of the QFAMR has provided a secure platform to successfully access data-rich primary care EMR records without data ever leaving Queen's University. Although accessing complete primary care EMR records has certain technological, privacy, legal, and ethical considerations and challenges, QFAMR is a significant opportunity to conduct novel and innovative primary care research.

Double screening for syphilis and HIV in pregnant women in a priority municipality for the elimination of vertical transmission in Brazil: incidence, risk factors and spatial analysis.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) recommends double screening (DS) for syphilis and HIV during the first and third trimesters of antenatal care (ANC) to mitigate vertical transmission. We surveyed DS outcomes and their associated factors in a priority Brazilian municipality with >100 000 inhabitants who face challenges for both health problems. A total of 399 women were followed up throughout pregnancy using medical records. Spatial and multinomial logistic analyses were performed. There was an incidence rate of 24.8%, 59.4% and 15.8% for 'full DS', 'partial DS' and 'without DS', respectively. Younger women and those with a history of both prematurity and multiparity were less likely to be in the 'full DS' category. There was an overlap of high-density clusters of 'full DS' and 'ANC in better quality basic health units', adherent to both the Family Health Strategy and the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care. The poor DS outcomes presented in 75% of the cases were mostly linked to delays in starting ANC appointments or their discontinuity. Thus, the MoH recommendations, accompanied by ongoing training, technical assistance and the periodic evaluation of their implementation, need to effectively reach providers and promote counseling and awareness about the importance of DS for pregnant women.

Effectiveness of Agreement Criteria and Flows of Collaborative Care in Primary Mental Health Care in Brazil.

The supply of mental health processes in primary care has gaps. This study aims to analyze the association of agreement criteria and flows between primary care teams and the Family Health Support Center (NASF) for mental health collaborative care, considering the difference between capital and non-capital cities in Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted based on secondary data from the Primary Care Access and Quality Improvement Program. Agreement criteria and flows were obtained from 3883 NASF teams of the matrix support or collaborative care. The Chi-square test and multiple Poisson regression were used; p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Prevalence ratios of negative associations demonstrated protective factors for support actions: follow-up at Psychosocial Care Center, management of psychopharmacotherapy, offer of other therapeutic actions, care process for users of psychoactive substances, and offer of activities to prevent the use of psychoactive substances. Collaborative care in primary care was effective, and capital cities were a protective factor compared with non-capital cities.

Co-designing person-centred quality indicator implementation for primary care in Alberta: a consensus study

BackgroundWe aimed to contribute to developing practical guidance for implementing person-centred quality indicators (PC-QIs) for primary care in Alberta, Canada. As a first step in this process, we conducted stakeholder-guided prioritization of PC-QIs and implementation strategies. Stakeholder engagement is necessary to ensure PC-QI implementation is adapted to the context and local needs.MethodsWe used an adapted nominal group technique (NGT) consensus process. Panelists were presented with 26 PC-QIs, and implementation strategies. Both PC-QIs and strategies were identified from our extensive previous engagement of patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and quality improvement leaders. The NGT objectives were to: 1. Prioritize PC-QIs and implementation strategies; and 2. Facilitate the participation of diverse primary care stakeholders in Alberta, including patients, healthcare providers, and quality improvement staff. Panelists participated in three rounds of activities. In the first, panelists individually ranked and commented on the PC-QIs and strategies. The summarized results were discussed in the second-round face-to-face group meeting. For the last round, panelists provided their final individual rankings, informed by the group discussion. Finally, we conducted an evaluation of the consensus process from the panelists’ perspectives.ResultsEleven primary care providers, patient partners, and quality improvement staff from across Alberta participated. The panelists prioritized the following PC-QIs: ‘Patient and caregiver involvement in decisions about their care and treatment’; ‘Trusting relationship with healthcare provider’; ‘Health information technology to support person-centred care’; ‘Co-designing care in partnership with communities’; and ‘Overall experience’. Implementation strategies prioritized included: ‘Develop partnerships’; ‘Obtain quality improvement resources’; ‘Needs assessment (stakeholders are engaged about their needs/priorities for person-centred measurement)’; ‘Align measurement efforts’; and ‘Engage champions’. Our evaluation suggests that panelists felt that the process was valuable for planning the implementation and obtaining feedback, that their input was valued, and that most would continue to collaborate with other stakeholders to implement the PC-QIs.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates the value of co-design and participatory approaches for engaging stakeholders in adapting PC-QI implementation for the primary care context in Alberta, Canada. Collaboration with stakeholders can promote buy-in for ongoing engagement and ensure implementation will lead to meaningful improvements that matter to patients and providers.

S331 The Impact of PCP Counseling for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Primary Care Quality Improvement Project

Introduction: Effective primary care physician (PCP) counseling plays a key role in patient adherence to primary prevention cancer screening programs. The impact of PCP counseling on the patients’ adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs is believed to be underestimated. Therefore, we conducted a 24-week prospective quality improvement initiative investigating the effects of PCP counseling for CRC screening on patient participation rates. Methods: We identified patients who met the criteria for CRC screening during their routine primary care appointments at the resident-run internal medicine ambulatory clinic at Cleveland Clinic (CCF) from October 2021 to March 2022. A fishbone diagram was used for root-cause analysis which revealed key causes of inadequate CRC screening: lack of patient education and awareness about the importance of CRC screening. Our PDSA cycle included patient education by PCPs about the importance of CRC screening in asymptomatic patients and the benefits of early treatment of the disease. The PCPs explained various screening modalities. The chosen modality was ordered for interested patients. The primary outcomes were the percentage of patients who agreed to undergo CRC screening and the percentage of patients who scheduled or completed the screening test. Results: A total of 52 subjects both met the criteria for CRC screening and attended their routine primary care appointments at CCF where they underwent PCP counseling. Only 4 (8%) patients had undergone a prior CRC screening test. The median age was 55 years, and females compromised 52% of the subjects. A total of 44 subjects (85%) agreed to undergo CRC screening after being counseled by their PCPs. Of those 44 individuals, 42 (95%) chose colonoscopy, and two (5%) chose FOBT. By the end of the study period, eighteen patients (41%) had either scheduled or completed their tests (Figure, Table). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that PCP counseling is associated with high patient engagement to undergo CRC screening. However, it is still unclear whether PCP counseling in the context of a primary care clinic visit alone is sufficient to ensure the completion of CRC screening. Thus, we plan to examine CRC screening completion rates within a year of the original test being ordered and explore barriers that limit the completion of CRC screening by surveying patients in subsequent clinic visits. We will propose other interventions (email reminders or phone calls) to address these barriers and improve CRC screening completion rates.Figure 1.: Time course of patients who agreed to undergo CRC screening. Table 1. - Summary of the data Age median (range) 55 (45-83) yrs Female vs. Male 52.0% vs 48.0% Percentage of patients were up to date with CRC screening 8.0% Percentage of patients who agreed to undergo CRC screening 85.0% Percentage of patients who scheduled their CRC screening test by the time of data curation 41.0%

Diagnóstico e tratamento da sífilis em gestantes nos serviços de Atenção Básica

Abstract The aim of this article is to evaluate the conditions of Primary Care (PC) services in Brazil as regards the availability of quick tests (QTs) for early diagnoses and of Benzylpenicillin (BZP) for the treatment of pregnant women with syphilis. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted with data from PC services that participated in the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ-AB, in Portuguese). The services where QTs were not readily available or where BZP was not available in a sufficient quantity were categorized as “inadequate”, while those where the QTs were readily available and BZP was found in sufficient quantities were categorized as “adequate”. A bivariate analysis and Odds Ratio (OR) estimates, together with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI), were performed. The sample included 20,286 PC services from regions throughout the country. The prevalence of services with inadequate conditions for the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis was 47.7%. The Midwest region and non-capital cities presented the highest prevalence rates for PC services with inadequate conditions for the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in pregnant women (p&lt;0.05). Differences in the regions and locations of the PC services impact the availability of QTs and BZP.

Diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in pregnant women at the services of Primary Care.

The aim of this article is to evaluate the conditions of Primary Care (PC) services in Brazil as regards the availability of quick tests (QTs) for early diagnoses and of Benzylpenicillin (BZP) for the treatment of pregnant women with syphilis. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted with data from PC services that participated in the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ-AB, in Portuguese). The services where QTs were not readily available or where BZP was not available in a sufficient quantity were categorized as "inadequate", while those where the QTs were readily available and BZP was found in sufficient quantities were categorized as "adequate". A bivariate analysis and Odds Ratio (OR) estimates, together with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI), were performed. The sample included 20,286 PC services from regions throughout the country. The prevalence of services with inadequate conditions for the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis was 47.7%. The Midwest region and non-capital cities presented the highest prevalence rates for PC services with inadequate conditions for the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in pregnant women (p<0.05). Differences in the regions and locations of the PC services impact the availability of QTs and BZP.

Coaching quality improvement in primary care to improve hypertension control.

Effective management of hypertension (HTN) is a priority in primary care, necessary to decrease the costs, morbidity, and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. Strategies to support quality improvement (QI) efforts in primary care are needed to make significant improvements in population health, especially for patients who experience socioeconomic inequalities. To address the high rate (>50%) of uncontrolled HTN in the state of Ohio, a statewide QI project was implemented in high-volume Medicaid practices, aimed at improving blood pressure control and addressing racial disparities. The initiative expanded to include coaching QI to support efforts in primary care practices. The Model for Improvement guided development of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles facilitated by QI coaching and APRN collaboration to implement key components of HTN guidelines: accurate blood pressure measurement, effective treatment, and timely follow-up. Interventions were implemented after PDSA cycles over 18 months in two practice sites to address HTN control. Linking multiple PDSA test cycles and review of data bimonthly allowed for reflection on the impact of interventions for non-Hispanic Black patients and the overall patient population. The percentage of patients with controlled HTN, repeat blood pressure measurement, and timely follow-up improved in an urban primary care practice associated with an academic medical center and in a rural federally qualified health center. Primary care practices can benefit from the external support of coaching when implementing QI processes to make meaningful change. APRNs are key collaborators for expanding QI efforts in primary care.