Improving Parent/Guardian Electronic Health Record Compliance for School-Aged Children Through Text Message Nudges
Research Poster Health & Life Sciences 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Kaitlin Kirby
Exhibition Number 152
Abstract
Improving Parent/Guardian Electronic Health Record Compliance for School-Aged Children Through Text Message Nudges Kaity Johnson Kirby MSPHP RN BSN NHDP-BC The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University Design: Quality Improvement Project Introduction: 96% of United States (U.S.) healthcare systems use Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to document and coordinate healthcare. More than 97% of all U.S. adults have cell phones. Text message nudges are a popular positive behavioral intervention encouraging EHR engagement and improve health literacy and care coordination by overcoming obstacles related to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) through communication and outreach. Setting: 60% of a rural secondary school in south central Pennsylvania had an incomplete EHR for the 2023-2024 school year. An incomplete SchoolCare EHR may negatively impact student attendance, healthcare, or delay medical treatment. Aim: The quality improvement project aims to improve EHR compliance rates for grades 6-12 using text message nudges for ~1800 students. For Pennsylvania (PA) State Requirements to attend public school, children must have up-to-date health records (physicals, immunization records, hearing, vision, scoliosis, and dental screenings) on file with the school district nursing office. Methods: Text message nudge reminders were sent to parents/guardians to complete student EHRs as part of a quality improvement protocol intervention. Outcome: Pre- and post-intervention results nearly doubled EHR compliance rates from 40% to a 75% EHR compliance for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year. Overall EHR compliance acheived was 95% eight weeks after intervention. Conclusions: Text message nudges improve parent/guardian SchoolCare EHR compliance.
Importance
Text message nudges help to improve Electronic Health Record (EHR) engagement and compliance for secondary school populations in rural regions. Engaging parents using technology innovations like texting helps to overcome barriers related to Social Determinants of Health and improve health care access for secondary aged students in a school based setting.
DEI Statement
Text message nudges help to improve Electronic Health Record (EHR) engagement and compliance for secondary school populations in rural regions. Engaging parents using technology innovations like texting helps to overcome barriers related to Social Determinants of Health and improve health care access for secondary aged students in a school based setting.