A survey of compliance: Medicaid's mandated blood lead screenings for children age 12–18 months in Nebraska

BACKGROUND To determine the frequency of Medicaid mandated blood lead level (BLL) screening compliance rates by clinical site. METHODS Retrospective chart review for evidence of BLLs. Data analyses were conducted using frequencies, percentages & chi-square. RESULTS The overall incidence of documented BLLs was 78.9% with one clinic demonstrating 100% BLLs while the others had 72%. Screening rates differed significantly by clinical site (X2 = 18.460, df = 3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Although universal blood lead screening is mandated, there were missed opportunities to obtain BLLs in 21.1% of the records reviewed. Only one clinic had 100% documentation of BLLs when children on Medicaid were seen between the ages of 12-18 months.