Are services to tennessee children with special health care needs comparable with national achievement of MCHB objectives?

Nursing center-Health Intervention Program in Philadelphia: Program evaluation and outcomes

BACKGROUND

The La Salle Neighborhood Nursing Center provided the Health Intervention Program (HIP) for vulnerable children with special needs, and families in Philadelphia challenged by chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional conditions and low incomes.

AIMS

We evaluated the effectiveness of HIP for a 5-year period and the consistency of quarterly and annual reports as a quality improvement initiative.

METHODS

Using program evaluation, secondary analysis design, the effect of a city-wide, family support home visiting program was assessed. Consistency of documentation of program outcomes on annual reports was described. Data were obtained from reports, framed by program objectives submitted via the ETO^® database to the Department of Public Health. Components of the HIP consisted of case management, supportive services, information, and referrals provided by a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

RESULTS

Family services, program outcomes, referrals, community meetings, and themes demonstrated program complexity and effectiveness. Reports showed inconsistent documentation on 19 outcomes for program objectives.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with special needs and their families shared challenges and barriers to their health. The institution staff should create a table to report outcomes on program objectives to evaluate trends across funding years and establish interrater reliability on quarterly and annual reports.