HeartSmartKids (HSK) and Medical Offices

HSK provides decision support and implementation of guidelines on obesity, behavioral health, and other common health issues. We collect patient behavioral and motivational data using touchscreen kiosks or tablets, normally in the waiting room and requiring no staff time. The resulting patient-reported information is combined with guidelines, clinical data, community resources, and clinic-specific guidance to create patient education and provider guidance sheets. Our tools are web-based, bilingual, can satisfy meaningful use (MU) and HEDIS quality measures, and require very little staff time.

While all practitioners want to have more effective, positive, and fulfilling sessions with their patients, current trends toward reimbursing based on health outcomes makes effective counseling even more important. HSK can help clinicians spend their limited time more effectively - having the conversations that families want and need rather than being lectured on unhealthy habits.

 

Behavioral Health and Screenings

In 2013 HSK introduced the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9 and 2, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS), the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and the NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scale—Parent Informant (VAS-PI). 

 

Case Studies 

HSK helps clinics implement guidelines on obesity, behavioral health, and more. Read more about HSK and Obesity Guidelines here.
 

Community - HS, WIC, ADA, Health Fair

HSK brings clinical technology to community health organizations, allowing them to better screen, counsel, and track health behaviors.
 

Head Start - HSK works with several Head Start organizations to improve the health of children and families. As part of the Culture of Wellness in Preschools (link), we combine behavioral surveys, child measurements, and community resources to create conversations that move family health. Health promoters and Head Start staff were trained to have one-on-one conversations that were well received by parents.

 

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - Working with the University of Denver School of Medicine, HSK has implemented support for brief, positive discussions of maternal health and how a mother’s weight affects her children.

 

Resources

Healthy Eating

  • healthychildren.org
  • http://www.letsgo.org/online-trainings/

Motivational Interviewing

  • Kaiser resources
  • ChangeTalk app

 

Partners

UCDenver College of Nursing

UCDenver School of Medicine

American Diabetes Association

9HealthFair

Arizona State University