Did you know that on the Child Health Scorecard via The Commonwealth Fund ranked Delaware #50 last year for the percentage of young children (ages 10 months – 5 years) who received standardized developmental screening during a visit?*We can do better. The DE-AAP is collaborating with DPH & NHPS and has joined the effort to increase the number of children screened during well child visits in Delaware. Here’s an overview of our project:

• DPH is making The Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) online assessment available via the portal at their website http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/chca/dphpedsprovider.html. This is available without cost to you. Only one representative from your office will need to register.
• Parents will be invited to the “parent portal” so they can complete the screening questionnaire before the well child visit. Parents will not see the results. Instead, providers will receive an e-mail alerting them of a completed screen.

Using a validated developmental screening tool has been shown to increase the percentage of children screened during routine well child visits. The 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health indicates that the percent of children screened in Delaware was 10.9 percent compared to the national average of 19.5 percent.

Did you know there are incentives for you to use a validated screening tool?

1. Reimbursement
2. Maintenance of Certification – up to 20 credits via Developmental Screening Practice Improvement Module
3. Continuing Medical Education – up to 20 CMEs via Developmental Screening Practice Improvement Module

We will be hosting CME opportunities and also have hired nurse consultants to come to your office to help you implement developmental screening. It is a win-win-win situation. Parents are empowered, physicians have an online tool and get paid for screening and children are referred for services earlier.

For more information or to request in-office training contact the DE-AAP Executive Director, Katie Hamilton, at khamilton@deaap.org  or call 302-218-1075.

Let’s make Delaware #1 for developmental screening!

Mary Lou Gavin, MD
Chapter President

*For a copy of Commonwealth Fund-Delaware Specific information:  http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Maps-and Data/State-Data-Center/Child-Health/DataByState/State.aspx?state=DE . Click on Prevention & Treatment.