Improving the management of tibia stress fractures: a collaborative, outpatient clinic-based quality improvement project.

PURPOSE: Implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the Leg Pain Screening and Referral Tool (LPS&RT) for patients presenting with lower extremity leg pain in an outpatient clinic.

SAMPLE: A total of 46 patients diagnosed with tibia stress fractures.

METHODS

The study employed a pre-/postintervention design. Retrospective and prospective information was collected from an electronic health record to obtain patient data. The pre- and postintervention groups were compared on the number of patients diagnosed with tibia stress fractures. Provider adherence to the treatments recommended by the algorithm was assessed by chart audits postintervention.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase (87.5%) in tibia stress fracture diagnosis, from 16 preintervention to 30 postintervention. Provider adherence to the LPS&RT was 93.3% postintervention. Common treatments were activity restriction, oral medication, and/or specialty referrals.

CONCLUSION

The LPS&RT was an effective, uniform measure to standardize the plan of care for tibia stress fractures in one outpatient clinic.