Missed opportunities: Do states require screening of children for health conditions that interfere with learning?

METHODS

Investigators reviewed websites of state departments of health and education, and legislation for all 50 states and DC. For states with mandated screenings and a required form, investigators applied structured analysis to assess HBL inclusion.

RESULTS

No state mandated that schools require screening for all 7 HBLs. Less than half (49%) required comprehensive school health examinations and only 12 states plus DC required a specific form. Of these, 12 of the forms required documentation of vision screening, 11 of hearing screening, and 12 of dental screening. Ten forms asked about asthma and 9 required documentation of lead testing. Seven asked about general well-being, emotional problems, or mental health. None addressed hunger. When including states without comprehensive school health examination requirements, the most commonly required HBL screenings were for vision (80% of states; includes DC), hearing (75% of states; includes DC) and dental (24% of state; includes DC).

CONCLUSION

The lack of state mandated requirements for regular student health screening represents a missed opportunity to identify children with HBLs. Without state mandates, accompanying comprehensive forms, and protocols, children continue to be at risk of untreated health conditions that can undermine their success in school.

Twenty-five years of child and family homelessness: where are we now?

Family homelessness emerged as a major social and public health problem in the United States during the 1980s. We reviewed the literature, including journal articles, news stories, and government reports, that described conditions associated with family homelessness, the scope of the problem, and the health and mental health of homeless children and families. Much of this literature was published during the 1980s and 1990s. This raises questions about its continued applicability for the public health community. We concluded that descriptions of the economic conditions and public policies associated with family homelessness are still relevant; however, the homeless family population has changed over time. Family homelessness has become more prevalent and pervasive among poor and low-income families. We provide public health recommendations for these homeless families.

Content barriers to pediatric uptake of electronic health records

EHR systems provide significant opportunities to enhance pediatric care. Well-constructed clinical content, HIE, automated reminders and alerts, and reporting at practice, community, and public health levels are available in several current systems and products. However, the general focus on inpatient and adult populations in the design and marketing of these systems should be seen as a significant barrier to EHR adoption among pediatric primary care providers. Weight-based medication dosing, specialty growth charts, units of measurement and time, and measures to address minor consent and adolescent confidentiality are not universal in quality and availability to the pediatric practice. However, there are opportunities for pediatricians to provide input and to clearly state minimum requirements when dealing with vendors or when government agencies (eg, ONCHIT and AHRQ) seek comment on standards, practices, and expectations. This article uses cases and examples to describe some areas in which pediatricians should take an active role to advocate for pediatric-appropriate EHR tools. Virtually every child born and cared for in the United States today will have their data and information recorded in an EHR. The quality of the information and the HIT in which it is recorded can affect the care they get as children, and the information they carry into adulthood.

Putting guidelines into practice: improving documentation of pediatric asthma management using a decision-making tool

OBJECTIVE

To assess improvement in documentation of asthma indicators using the Asthma Toolbox, an asthma decision-making tool developed in accord with National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines.

DESIGN

Retrospective medical record review using cross-sectional, independent, random samples. Reviews were conducted for 1-year periods before and after implementation and after revision reflecting 2007 guideline modifications.

SETTING

Two inner-city, federally qualified health center programs providing pediatric primary care to housed and homeless populations.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1246 patients aged 6 months to 18 years with at least 1 asthma visit to a community health center using paper records (n = 600) or a mobile medical program serving family homeless shelters using an electronic health record (EHR; n = 646).

INTERVENTION

Implementation of the Asthma Toolbox incorporated into paper encounter forms and embedded in the EHR to guide providers (ie, physicians and nurse practitioners) through pediatric asthma assessment and management.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Documentation of a subset of asthma severity/control measures, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and percentage of persistent asthmatic patients prescribed controller medications.

RESULTS

Documentation of each asthma indicator increased significantly after implementation (χ(2) tests; P < .001 all comparisons) for both programs. Documentation of severity/control increased from 25.5% to 77.5% in paper records and from 11.7% to 85.1% in the EHR (P < .001). Increases were sustained after Asthma Toolbox revision for all indicators. The percentage of patients with persistent/uncontrolled asthma prescribed controller medications reached 96% to 97% in both programs.

CONCLUSION

Use of the Asthma Toolbox, an asthma decision-making tool, significantly increased documentation of pediatric asthma management among providers working in high-disparity, urban primary care settings.