AHP Lead Initiative Gaining Momentum
June 28th, 2018 | Network NewsEarly Detection of Toxic Childhood Lead Exposure
AHP’s Lead Initiative focuses on improving lead screening rates for children ages 0 to 2. Building on successful models of point of care lead testing that currently exist in many of our primary care practices caring for children, AHP is removing barriers to implementing point of care testing throughout the network.
AHP’s Lead Initiative officially launched in March 2018 and has seen substantial progress in its first three months of rollout. To date, we’ve trained seven new primary care practices and some affiliate sites have already begun doing point-of-care lead testing with additional trainings are scheduled for the summer.
After validation has been completed by UR Labs, the UR Primary Care Network and affiliates will operationalize point-of-care lead testing at multiple sites beginning this summer. In total, we project 30 new practices will have point-of-care lead testing by late fall 2018.
Meagan Fournier-Boome, AHP’s Project Manager for the Lead Initiative has diligently followed-up with practices to support efficient implementation of testing and sharing best practices. Meagan has developed a guide for providers who are just beginning in-office lead testing; email Meagan to request a copy.
Updated Guidance for Blood Lead Testing
New York State law requires that all children be tested for lead at age 1 and again around age 2. Additionally, they must be assessed for lead exposure risk using a risk-assessment tool at every well care visit from 6 months to 6 years of age. Children who screen positive for lead exposure will subsequently need a lead test.
AHP’s gainsharing for lead testing is calculated using the HEDIS measurement that requires at least one documented lead test on or before a child’s second birthday. Typically, two-year old well-care visits are scheduled AFTER a child turns two years old, which will push them out of qualifying in the measure if they have not had any testing before their second birthday.
Therefore, AHP recommends that if a child misses their lead test at their 12-month well-child visit, then they should be tested at their next well care visit at 15 months or 18 months to ensure they are captured in the numerator of the quality measure. We want you to receive credit for the great work that you’re doing to ensure kids are tested for lead!
Save the Date: Child Lead Exposure and Lead Testing Webinar
On Wednesday August 15th at noon, join AHP’s Pediatric Quality Improvement Team and Dr. Stanley Schaffer from the Western New York Lead Poisoning Resource Center to learn about unlikely sources of lead exposure, importance of childhood lead testing and how to get started with point-of-care lead testing in your practice today. Look for your invitation mid-July.
For questions about these or any pediatric initiatives, please contact the AHP Pediatric Quality Improvement Team:
For questions, regarding lead or any pediatric initiative, contact the AHP Pediatric Quality Improvement Team:
Meagan Fournier-Boome, Project Manager
Nancy Bellush, Quality Improvement and Pediatric Care Manager
Dr. LJ Shipley, Pediatric Medical Director
