Point-of-Care Lead Testing Dramatically Improves Screening Rates

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lead screening for children living in high-prevalence areas (≥5% of children with blood lead levels ≥5 μg/dL) by 24 months of age, which occurs with variable success. To reduce barriers to testing, e.g., a lab visit separate from the office visit, researchers evaluated lead screening rates before and after an intervention consisting of provider education and implementation of point-of-care lead testing. First, baseline lead screening data were collected from four primary care practices in high-lead-prevalence areas of Pennsylvania; second, providers received lead screening education at all sites; third, point-of-care (POC) testing was implemented at one site; finally, postintervention lead scree…