Date of Award
2018
Degree Name
Nursing (D.N.P.)
Department
College of Nursing
First Advisor
Karen Burritt, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
Second Advisor
Dianne Slager, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Third Advisor
Geraldine Terry, MD, MSN, RN
Fourth Advisor
Constanza Fox, MD, FAAP
Abstract
Background: It is estimated that 15% of children in the United States have at least one developmental delay, sadly, less than one-fifth of these children receive early intervention services before the age of three (Vitrikas, Savard, & Bucaj, 2017).
Objectives: Design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based protocol to assist in timely referrals of identified children to intervention services in a pediatric primary care setting through staff education of the developmental screening tool ASQ-3.
Methods: Accurate assessment of current practice revealed the need for development and implementation of a protocol. Staff education was evaluated through pre and post-surveys. Data was collected pre and post-protocol implementation through chart reviews.
Results: The post-protocol implementation data resulted in an increase in screening and 5 children being referred for early intervention services and 4 are being watched with areas of concern.
Conclusions: Through education and the development of a protocol this quality improvement project improved quality of care, referrals, workflow, reimbursement, understanding, and overall developmental screening in this primary care practice.
Implications: This developmental screening protocol will provide a foundation to increase overall screening in the practice.
ScholarWorks Citation
Sikkila, Shelby L., "Improving Office Workflow to Increase Developmental Screening Using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) in a Primary Care Setting" (2018). Doctoral Projects. 50.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/kcon_doctoralprojects/50
