Malik, F, Cases, J, Hillard, M, Lyons, S, Jacobsen, L, Roberts, A, Mucci, A, Agarwal, S, Demeterco-Berggren, C, Alonso, T, Ebekozien, O, Corathers, S.

Background: Implementation of a structured health care transition (HCT) process is associated with positive outcomes in population health, experience of care, and health care utilization.

Objective: To describe pediatric and adult clinic HCT practices in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI).

Methods: Got Transition’s Six Core Elements of HCT offer a structured approach to the phases of transition support: 1) transition and care policy, 2) tracking and monitoring, 3) transition readiness, 4) transition planning, 5) transfer of care, and 6) transfer completion. T1DX-QI institutions (n=53) were surveyed to examine the integration of the Six Core Elements into diabetes HCT practices.

Results: The survey response rate was 94.3% (n=50 clinics; 33 pediatric, 17 adult). A majority of T1DX-QI pediatric clinics (72.7%, n=24) report having a HCT policy compared to 29.4% (n=5) of adult clinics. Among pediatric institutions, 45.4% (n=15) maintain a tracking system to identify transition-aged youth, 39.4% (n=13) formally assess HCT readiness, 52% (n=17) document and update a plan of care for transition and 27.3% (n=9) have a process in place to confirm successful transfer of care completion with adult diabetes providers. Approximately two-thirds of T1DX-QI pediatric institutions (63.6%, n=21) have a formal structured HCT program and 29% (n=6) of these HCT programs report incorporating all 6 elements.

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