Primary Care

We deliver better whole child health outcomes by improving key child health metrics

Our Focus

All children should have access to high-quality care.

PINQ participants aim for continuous improvement by using quality improvement principles in a collaborative environment.

Our Impact

Evidence shows that well child visits can profoundly affect a child’s development. Earlier identification leads to earlier intervention, which produces better health outcomes.

At well visits, providers screen children for developmental milestones, lead exposure, depression, and more. Immunizations received during well child visits protect children’s health and safety. Families who attend well child visits develop strong relationships with their medical homes.

PINQ Primary Care concentrates on two key metrics:

  • Improving well child visit rates

  • Improving follow-up care after a mental health event (such as a positive depression screening)

PINQ Improvement Teams are testing these methods to improve well child visit attendance:

  • Real-time scheduling of no-shows

  • In-visit scheduling

  • Automated appointment reminders

  • Care gaps reviewed at all points of contact

  • Caregiver education on well child visit benefits

Well Child Visits

For Medicaid-enrolled children aged 0-15 months, Ohio ranks 30th in the U.S. for completion of the American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended number of well child visits.  

Parents and physicians collaborate on children’s wellness during well child visits. Well child visits track developmental milestones and have been shown to prevent injury and illness. 

Follow-Up After a Mental Health Event

Acute mental health events, such as a positive depression screen or emergency department visit, require follow-up. Evidence shows that following up within seven days after such an event leads to the best outcomes. Follow-up within 30 days is critical.

PINQ’s current focus is rethinking how patients and families get connected with care after acute mental health events through:

  • Dedicated follow-up resource nurse

  • Same-day scheduling

  • Caregiver education and resources provided

Depression Screening

Early identification and treatment of depression can prevent worsening symptoms.  

Since June 2022, the PINQ network improved PHQ9 (depression) screening at well child visits from 91% to 96% and moved this measure to sustain mode in July 2024. Teams utilized tablets and carefully designed workflows to achieve this outcome.