Developmental Screening Implementation Checklist

This page is fully printable, but you may also wish to download this checklist in PDF form.

     Identify practice champions

     Introduce the idea to your practice
                Share web sites with previous practice experience
                Elicit ideas, concerns, and suggestions from all staff members
                Acknowledge that change is hard

     Choose a tool
                Review the available tools
                Pick one for trial that matches practice needs

     Train appropriate staff in administering, scoring and interpreting

     Consider methods of implementation
              At what visits will screening be included?
                  ________________________________________
              How will tool be distributed – in the office, via mail, or posted electronically online?
                  ________________________________________
               What will you do with completed screens?
                   ________________________________________

    Discuss operations – identify the person(s) who will…
              Purchase and reorder the tool
                  ________________________________________
              Maintain supplies
                  ________________________________________
              Hand out (or mail) the tool and explain it to parents
                  ________________________________________
              Be responsible for scoring
                  ________________________________________
              Document findings and plan in the medical record
                  ________________________________________
              Return pens and clipboards to storage site
                  ________________________________________
              Where will supplies be stored?
                 ________________________________________

    Referral system
              Will you need a new system?
                  ________________________________________
              Is your system paper-based, electronic, or both?
                  ________________________________________
              Who will maintain it?
                  ________________________________________

    Practice run
              Assign one staff member to be a “parent”
              Starting at the front desk, have them walk through the typical visit,
                        with the screening steps now included
              Assign another staff member to be the “provider” and/or support staff,
                        and walk through the steps of interpreting, scoring, and acting on the results
              Fix any operational glitches you find

    Communicate consistently
              Request regular feedback from all staff – particularly, but not only, after the practice run
              Give staff regular feedback on their successes and the changes you believe necessary