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.