Measurement to Support Effective Identification of Children at Risk for Developmental Delay

This State Health Policy Briefing is the third in a series examining the efforts of 19 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to improve identification of children with or at risk for developmental delay. For 15 months, ending in July 2008, these states and territories worked together, with the support of NASHP and The Commonwealth Fund, to make policy and practice changes that supported primary care providers’ use of a validated developmental screening tool as part of well child care. Screening Academy members received an intensive program of technical assistance during these 15 months, including assistance to support measurement. This briefing examines the efforts of the 21 members to produce meaningful data to make the case for change, develop training targeted to primary care provider needs, and assess whether changes produced the intended effect. By the end of these 15 months:

• Measuring Screening Rates: 20 ABCD Screening Academy members had completed a plan for measuring the rate of children screened for developmental delay that was aligned with the specifics of their plans for practice and policy change. Most planned to obtain their data from medical charts but some planned to obtain it from claims data or parent survey. 13 had produced both pre-and post-implementation measures. All 13 showed increases in screening rates over the course of the project.  
• Other Evaluative Activity: 19 ABCD Screening Academy members had completed other evaluative activity. Most of these reviewed medical charts to gather data indicating whether the screening results were documented in the medical record—and, if warranted, did the primary care provider develop a follow-up plan or make a referral. Others sources of data included provider survey, claims data, and parent surveys.

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ABCD Screening Academy Results Third in series	358.73 KB