Implementing Developmental Screening in Pediatric Primary Care: A New Hampshire Pediatric Improvement Partnership Learning Collaborative

Background and Objectives: Developmental delay affects an estimated 14% of US children; early identification and referral to appropriate services is crucial to optimal developmental outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends standardized developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months. Parent and provider surveys indicate that New Hampshire’s screening practices are suboptimal. We used a statewide improvement collaborative approach to increase rates of developmental screening using a standardized tool (the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)) and rates of early intervention referral among children …