QI: Improving Rates of Amblyopia Screening via GoCheck Kids Photoscreening At PMG Southeast Family Medicine Clinic
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Publication Date
2025
Keywords
oregon, oaa 2025
Disciplines
Family Medicine | Medical Education | Ophthalmology | Pediatrics
Abstract
Background Amblyopia (also known as “lazy eye”) is a condition that can develop when one eye has poor vision. The brain then favors the stronger eye and ignores the input from the eye with weaker vision. This can prevent further development of the affected eye, possibly resulting in permanent vision loss. The prevalence of amblyopia in the United States is 1 to 6 percent, and considered to be a major public health problem. If left untreated, amblyopia can lead to problems in school as well as permanent vision loss in the affected eye. To avoid the effects of this disease, amblyopia must be diagnosed and treated in early childhood. Recovery of amblyopic eye is maximum when initiated before the age 3 and decreases with age. Instrument based photoscreening can be used at an earlier age than traditional visual acuity wall charts, which is advantageous for prompt referral and treatment. Photoscreeners have been studied and found to be effective in detection of amblyogenic risk factors. GoCheck kids is a smartphone-based screening tool that takes a picture of the eyes and analyzes the red light reflex for amblyogenic risk factors. Due to the increased sensitivity of the test, photoscreening is recommended by the USPSTF, AAP, and AAFP. Our clinic previously did not have any data on current rates of photoscreening as we did not have any implemented workflow. Objectives Increase rates of photoscreening with GoCheck Kids to 75% of well child checks in patients ages 12 months to 36 months by March 2025. Methods The first PDSA involved learning the GoCheck Kids (GCK) Technology, its indications, and feasibility in clinic. We learned how to use GCK and the official Providence workflow. Our QI group learned GCK independently with Provi-dence information and their website. For the second PDSA, we gave a presentation about GCK at the clinic all staff meeting. The presentation outlined the importance of amblyopia screening and when and how to utilize the GCK application. We assessed staff knowledge with a pre and post survey and also opened discussion to potential concerns with starting this workflow at our clinic. For the third PDSA, we decided to observe the Scholls Pediatrics clinic, a pediat-ric clinic that was frequently using the GCK photoscreening application and had streamlined the workflow. We were then able to adapt a similar workflow and created a visual diagram outlining specific roles for both MA’s and providers. We presented this updated workflow at the clinic all staff meeting.
Area of Special Interest
Women & Children
Specialty/Research Institute
Graduate Medical Education
Specialty/Research Institute
Pediatrics
Specialty/Research Institute
Ophthalmology
