Pediatric Residents’ Recognition and Dissemination of Resources for Unmet Social Needs (USN) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) (QI Abstract)

Abstract

ACE are recognized risk factors for poor health outcomes in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended routine screening of USN and targeted ACE screening in the primary care setting. However, most residents receive little to no training in asking ACE and USN type questions and providing resources if positives are elicited. The Child and Youth Center serves a diverse population made of about 50% African Americans and 35% Latinos. We focus on outreach to the underserved but the amount of USN and ACE are unknown. Aim Statement Increase the dissemination of resources by 20% to families that indicated they need assistance from implementation on October 2, 2016 to January 31, 2017. Interventions We implemented routine screening for USN and ACE for all children, presenting for a well child visit in our pediatric resident clinic. Residents dispensed resources to families who indicated they needed assistance. The first intervention was resident education regarding the new screening tool and location of resources on a website. The second intervention was outreach to individual providers if they did not provide resources but the parents had asked for assistance. The third intervention was printing the three most commonly needed resources and having them readily accessible for residents to give to parents. Measures We used PDSA cycles and QI methodology in a rapid cycle to improve distribution of resources. We calculated the percentage of resources given before and after each intervention.