EPSDT preventive services in a low-income pediatric population: Impact of a nursing protocol

Pamela C. Hull, Baqar A. Husaini, Susanne Tropez-Sims, Michelle Reece, Janice Emerson, Robert Levine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Medicaid mandates coverage of clinical preventive services for children under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program (EPSDT). This article assesses the usefulness of a nursing protocol for delivering comprehensive EPSDT services to pediatric patients during any primary care visit. Secondary data from a recent controlled trial were analyzed. An intervention group received the clinical protocol (n = 514 children in a low-income pediatric clinic), whereas data from a "usual care" comparison group were obtained from medical records (n = 115 children). The nursing protocol included 52 items corresponding to EPSDT services and was administered by a prevention nurse. In the intervention group, 11 605 out of 11 607 (approximately 100.0%) EPSDT service needs were initiated, as compared to 21.2% (572 out of 2695) in the comparison group (P <.001). The study demonstrates the feasibility of using a nursing protocol to integrate EPSDT clinical preventive services into pediatric visits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137-142
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Pediatrics
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

Keywords

  • EPSDT program
  • Medicaid
  • Nursing protocol

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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