12/15/95

Mitch Emmons (emmonmb@mail.auburn.edu)

AUBURN NURSING PROVIDING 'MEDIKIDS' HEALTH SCREENING

AUBURN -- Auburn University nurses are playing an important role in the state's preventive health services by providing a screening center for the MediKids program.

MediKids -- also known as the EPSDT program (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment) -- is a free health care program for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents up to age 21.

Constance Hendricks, an assistant professor in Auburn's School of Nursing and coordinator of the AU program says eligible children may receive up to nine health screenings before age 2 and annually thereafter.

"It's operated through the state's Medicaid program with the primary purpose of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and illness," she said. "The School of Nursing, as a health care providing agency, can provide the examinations and be reimbursed (through Medicaid) for our services."

AU's School of Nursing was granted provider status for the program in 1993, but Hendricks said the first two years under the program involved certification training for nurse practitioners and obtaining equipment.

"This academic year we just really began to provide the actual hands-on service," she said.

When AU was accepted as a MediKids provider in 1993, Lee County had nearly 5,000 children under the age of 18 eligible for the program, said Hendricks.

"Only 13 percent were receiving health care screening," she said. "That was among the data that showed us there was a need."

AU nursing personnel are conducting an average of six screenings per month, but Hendricks says the frequency is increasing.

"I believe that the upcoming academic year will really show a difference," she said.

Screenings involve a comprehensive physical examination, vision and hearing testing, dental referral and nutritional assessment.

"We also look at such things as immunization records, family medical history and lab work," Hendricks said. "It also requires some teaching on our part to educate the parents and also the child, if they are old enough."

The program also has an important research component, Hendricks added.

"We are gathering data on incidence of chronic illness, such as lead exposure and diabetes," she said. "The purpose is early diagnosis. The goal is health promotion and disease prevention."

The School of Nursing conducts MediKids program health screenings in its skills laboratory.

Families who are eligible for Medicaid benefits also may be eligible for the MediKids program, but Hendricks notes, being a Medicaid participant does not automatically place a child in the MediKids program.

Those who want to participate should contact the Department of Human Resources or the Alabama Medicaid Agency, she said.

dec95:AU-medikids

CONTACT: Hendricks, 334/844-6763.