Improving Developmental Screening Among Pediatricians in New Mexico

BACKGROUND: Seven pediatric primary care practices participated in New Mexico's Developmental Screening Initiative in a year-long quality improvement project with the goal of implementing standardized developmental screening tools. METHODS: The initiative utilized a learning collaborative approach and the Model for Improvement to promote best practice about developmental screening outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also, the project emphasized interagency collaboration to improve communication between medical providers and state and community agencies that provide services to children with developmental delays. RESULTS: A total of 1139 medical records were reviewed by the 7 practices, at 5 intervals during the intervention. At baseline, there were dramatic differences among the practices, with some not engaged in screening at all. Overall, the use of standardized developmental screening increased from 27% at baseline to 92% at the end of the project.