Continuous Improvement and the Expansion of Quality ... - NCQA
Continuous Improvement and the Expansion of Quality ... - NCQA
Continuous Improvement and the Expansion of Quality ... - NCQA
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M E A S U R E S T A R G E T E D A T C H I l D R E N A N D A D o l E S C E N T S<br />
90<br />
• In 2007, more than five million children<br />
0–17 years <strong>of</strong> age had no usual source<br />
<strong>of</strong> care; <strong>the</strong> same number had one or<br />
more unmet medical need during <strong>the</strong> year.<br />
Almost six million children were without a<br />
doctor or nurse who knew <strong>the</strong>ir medical<br />
history. 4<br />
N AT I o N A l C o M M I T T E E f o R Q U A l I T y A S S U R A N C E<br />
CHIlDREN AND ADolESCENTS’ ACCESS<br />
To PRIMARy CARE PRACTITIoNERS<br />
Children <strong>and</strong> adolescents need access to primary care practitioners (PCP) to ensure <strong>the</strong>ir optimal<br />
health <strong>and</strong> well-being. 1 PCPs play an important role in preventing illness <strong>and</strong> death in <strong>the</strong><br />
young. 2 The Children <strong>and</strong> Adolescents’ Access to Primary Care Practitioners measure assesses<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r children <strong>and</strong> adolescents were able to obtain medical attention from a PCP, such as a<br />
family doctor, internist, pediatrician or general practitioner.<br />
• Although <strong>the</strong> primary care workforce<br />
increased by 35 percent between 1996<br />
<strong>and</strong> 2006, almost one million children<br />
live in areas with no PCP. Children <strong>and</strong><br />
adolescents living in rural areas are<br />
affected disproportionately. 5<br />
<strong>the</strong> Case for <strong>Improvement</strong><br />
• fewer than half <strong>of</strong> children <strong>and</strong><br />
adolescents in <strong>the</strong> United States receive <strong>the</strong><br />
recommended amount <strong>of</strong> preventive care. 3<br />
• Accessible primary care reduces hospital<br />
use <strong>and</strong> maintains quality <strong>of</strong> care. 6 Access<br />
to primary care is an effective way to<br />
reduce expensive hospitalizations <strong>and</strong> curb<br />
rising health care costs. 7<br />
• for adolescents, inaccessible care can put<br />
<strong>the</strong>m at risk for developing chronic disease,<br />
substance-use disorders <strong>and</strong> risk-taking<br />
sexual behaviors. 8-10<br />
HEdIs Measure definition<br />
The percentage <strong>of</strong> children <strong>and</strong> young adults<br />
12 months to 19 years <strong>of</strong> age who had a<br />
visit with a PCP. The measure reports on four<br />
separate percentages:<br />
• Children 12–24 months who had a visit<br />
with a PCP during <strong>the</strong> measurement year<br />
• Children 25 months–6 years who had a<br />
visit with a PCP during <strong>the</strong> measure year<br />
• Children 7–11 years who had a visit with<br />
a PCP during <strong>the</strong> measure year or <strong>the</strong> year<br />
prior to <strong>the</strong> measurement year<br />
• Adolescents 12–19 years who had a visit<br />
with a PCP during <strong>the</strong> measurement year or<br />
<strong>the</strong> year prior to <strong>the</strong> measurement year.