February 15, 2007
Tony Brown, Barbara Tompkins and Nena Herrera with the EPSDT program; Martha Attie, SI. The baby is Carson Alexie held by Bessie Francis, and Norma Shorty.
Preventative health screening exams will now be offered closer to home with the continuation of EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment) training for our Health Aide providers, with the first training session completed this past month.
EPSDT training allows Health Aides to offer a holistic examination for children and young adults. Often referred to as “well-child exams,” the exam involves a physical examination, growth and developmental screening, dental screening, immunizations if needed, age appropriate laboratory screening, and health education. If the examination indicates a child requires further follow-up in any of the above areas, referrals are generated to the appropriate departments and agencies.
“Children should get their EPSDT exams regularly, even when the child is healthy,” said Elena Hererra, EPSDT Nurse Practitioner and program coordinator. “These exams provide early assessments of your child’s health and screens for future health concerns.”
EPSDT training is offered for Health Aides certified at Session III or above. The first training of the year began last month, January 25, with three Community Health Practitioners completing the course—Tony Brown of Aniak, Bessie Francis of Toksook Bay, and Norma Shorty of Emmonak.
With the addition of more EPSDT trained Health Aides at the village level, the amount of travel to the Subregional Clinics and Bethel will decrease for this service, improving the access to care for our patients.
“The examination offers a very important way to ensure that young children of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta receive appropriate health, mental health and developmental services,” Herrera added.
EPSDT exams are offered to all Medicaid eligible children from birth to 20 years of age. YKHC’s EPSDT program recommends examinations begin at 2 months of age, and every couple months until the child reaches 6 months, then re-examinations every three months until 24 months. Examinations should continue every year between the ages of 3 and 6, and then every other year from ages 6-20.
Bethel area children can receive a well-child examination from their provider by calling the appointment desk to schedule an appointment.
If you’d like to know more about the EPSDT examinations, please ask your village Health Aide, or you can call 543-6859 or 1-800-478-3321 ext. 6859 for more information.