Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Quality Improvement Principles: A New York City Pediatric Primary Care Experience

Abstract

Introduction: In the setting of COVID-19, pediatric primary care in New York City faced multiple challenges, requiring large-scale practice reorganization. We used quality improvement principles to implement changes to care delivery rapidly. Methods: Plan-do-study-act cycles were used, based on primary drivers of consolidation, reorganization of in-person and urgent care, telehealth expansion, patient outreach, mental health linkages, team communication, and safety. Results: The average visit volume in pediatrics decreased from 662 per week to 370. Telehealth visits increased from 2 to 140 per week, whereas urgent in-person visits decreased from 350 to 8 per week. Adolescent visits decreased from 57 to 46 per week. Newborn Clinic visits increased from 37 per week to 54. Show rates increased significantly for pediatrics and adolescent (P = 0.003 and P = 0.038, respectively). Conclusions: Quality improvement methodology allowed for the consolidation of pediatric primary care practices during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring care for patients while prioritizing safety, evidence-based practices, and available resources.