Utilization of an ITP quality improvement pathway improves adherence to management guidelines

• Published in: Pediatric blood & cancer Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. e30074 - n/a
• Main Authors: Harris, Emily M., Hillier, Kirsty, Nolan, Michaela, Meleedy‐Rey, Patricia, Buissereth, Taylah, Grace, Rachael F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-03-2023
• Subjects: Bleeding; Child; Epidemiology; guideline; Hematology; Hemorrhage; Humans; Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; immune thrombocytopenia; Oncology; Pediatrics; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic - diagnosis; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic - therapy; Quality control; Quality Improvement; Thrombocytopenia; treatment; treatment; bleeding; immune thrombocytopenia; guideline; pediatrics
• ISSN: 1545-5009; 1545-5017
• DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30074

Despite availability of epidemiologic studies and national guidelines for the management of newly diagnosed pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), practice variation exists among and within hematology practices. We previously described the development of an ITP pathway guiding management based on bleeding symptoms. Over an 8‐year period, integration of this iterative ITP pathway into management of newly diagnosed ITP increased observation rates in children with no or mild bleeding symptoms and improved consistency of laboratory evaluation and treatment strategies without increasing adverse outcomes. This quality improvement initiative has been sustainable, acceptable to providers, and increased adherence to guidelines.