366 - Promoting pediatric food security- A quality improvement project to increase pediatric food insecurity screening and referral in the Hospital

Poster Number: 366
Publication Number: 366.1715

Background: 1 in 7 U.S. children live in a household who experience food insecurity. Young children in the families at risk of food insecurity are more likely to be in fair or poor health, have more hospitalizations, and be at risk for developmental delay. Hunger Vital Signs is a validated tool used to screen for pediatric food insecurity.

Objective: Our two SMART aims in a 12- month period were: 1) 80% of the families admitted under the Women and Children’s services will be screened for food insecurity, and 2) 70% of the families who screen positive will receive a social worker assessment and a referral to the available resources before discharge.

Design/Methods: A multi-disciplinary workgroup was established, which was composed of physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians, and nursing educators. SMART aims, key driver diagram (Fig. 1) and project charter were created. The following interventions were implemented: creating a workflow for screening and referrals that is unit- specific, education of the staff about pediatric food insecurity, Hunger Vital Signs and the workflow, chart audit, grocery store gift card drive, assisting the families with Cal fresh application through the Community Health Worker, and creation of a nutrition education handout and a food and financial resources pamphlet.

Results: All patents admitted to the mother-baby unit, PICU, inpatient peds floor, and NICU between September 2022 to August 2023 were included. There were 3707 families. Both SMART aims were achieved within 12 months: 1) there were 94% of families screened on admission (compared to a pre-intervention baseline screening rate from June-Aug 2022 of 8% or 79/959), with an average positivity rate of 8% (Fig. 2), 2) of those who screened positive, 81% received social worker evaluation and referrals and were connected to resources as needed before discharge (Fig.3).

Conclusion(s): Implementation of a pediatric food insecurity screening program in the inpatient setting is feasible and can connect the families who screen positive for food insecurity with the available resources.