Pediatrics
Being responsive to the unique health needs of children is not just a medical imperative, it’s a vital investment in the future of our communities. Ensuring children have access to comprehensive, age-appropriate care is crucial for their healthy development and long- term well-being. This includes addressing not only physical health needs but also mental and emotional health. At Wellstar, we partner with families and community organizations so that every child has an opportunity to thrive. Child Health Screening In the 2022 CHNA Implementation Plan, Wellstar committed to provide comprehensive screening of pediatric patients to gain valuable insight into the child’s family life, safety, education and social capital, and opportunities for physical activity. Wellstar Pediatrics cares for the physical, mental, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood throughout surrounding communities. From preventive health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, pediatric care encompasses a broad spectrum of health services, including newborn nursery and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) services, primary care pediatrics, urgent care/after hours and emergency care pediatric services, inpatient pediatrics, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) services, pediatric surgical services, and various pediatric subspecialty services. Achievements: ■ Increased pediatric subspecialty services available to patients/ families, such as Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric ENT, Pediatric General Surgery, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Orthopedics, and Pediatric Urology.
■ Opened the Wellstar Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in April 2024, allowing care for pediatric patients with more severe illnesses closer to home. ■ Integrated Behavioral Health resources/services at certain pediatric offices in conjunction with the Behavioral Health Service Line. Childhood Lipid Screening In the 2022 CHNA Implementation Plan, Wellstar committed to increase childhood lipid screening to prevent early childhood heart disease and enhance the education towards healthy lifestyle modifications. Wellstar established the need for lipid screening to be performed on patients initially between the ages of 9-11 years old and again between 17-21 years old or as risk warrants. If a patient is identified as high risk due to a lipid screening, they will be referred to subspecialty for follow-up care. Depression Screening in Adolescents In the 2022 CHNA Implementation Plan, Wellstar committed to increasing depression screening to identify early symptoms of clinical depression and identify need for referral.
59% of patients ages 9-11 years old received lipid screenings in FY2022, and 58% of patients ages 9-11 years old received lipid screenings in both FY2023 & FY2024. 70% of patients ages 12 and older were screened for depression in FY2024.
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