Improving Access to Diagnostic Assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder Using an Arena Model.
J Dev Behav Pediatr
; 40(3): 161-169, 2019 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30907770
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To improve access to diagnostic evaluations for children younger than 3 years with concerns for possible autism spectrum disorder.METHODS:
A multidisciplinary "arena model" for children younger than 3 years was developed, tested, and implemented over an approximately 2-year period. Arena assessment teams comprised a developmental behavioral pediatrician (DBP), psychologist, and speech language pathologist (SLP). Quality improvement methods were used during the design phase, conducting Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles and collecting feedback from key stakeholders, and during implementation, plotting data on run charts to measure outcomes of the time to initial visit and time to diagnosis.RESULTS:
Over the 9-month implementation period, 6 arena assessment teams were formed to provide 60 evaluation slots per month for children younger than 3 years. The time to first visit was reduced from a median of 122 days to 19 days, and the time to final diagnosis was reduced from 139 days to 14 days, maintaining these outcomes at <35 and <18 days, respectively, over a 2-year period. Total visits required decreased from 4 to 5 visits to just 2 visits, and the average assessment cost was reduced by $992 per patient. Feedback from both providers and families participating in this model was overwhelmingly positive.CONCLUSION:
Access for young children referred for developmental assessments can be improved through an understanding of supply and demand and the development of creative and flexible care delivery models.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente
/
Modelos Organizacionais
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Melhoria de Qualidade
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Transtorno do Espectro Autista
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Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Child, preschool
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Female
/
Humans
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Infant
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Dev Behav Pediatr
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article