PediPlace

Our overall objective for each of our programs is to increase the general health of our client population through access to care and preventive care.

Our 2022 goals are:

•95% of patients and their families will identify PediPlace as their medical home. (2021 Results- 98%)
•75% of children 0-15 months will access the recommended 6 well child/preventive visits. (2021 Results- 77%)
•72% of patients ages 3-6 years will receive a well-exam. (2021 Results- 76%)
•72% of patients ages 12 years and older will receive a well-exam. (2021 Results- 71%)
•83% of patients will be able to schedule an appointment for an acute care “sick” visit the same day or next day of the date requested. (2021 Results- 73%)
•98% of patients and their families will indicate that they were happy with the care that was provided. (2021 Results- 99.6%)

PediPlace helps children of low income families to be healthy by providing high quality, affordable healthcare. PediPlace is the accessible pediatrician's office for children who would otherwise use the emergency room for care or go without care. We provide families with a medical home that allows them to bring their children to a friendly place for routine care, immunizations, & a comforting helpful clinic when they are sick.

Our comprehensive services are designed to meet the unique healthcare situations of our patients including language, cultural, & educational challenges & include: Preventive (Well-Child) care including immunizations; Treatment of illnesses; Mental Health Therapy Services; Behavioral Health Screenings to check for signs of depression &/or mental illness; Hearing/vision screenings; Treatment of asthma & other chronic illnesses; Referrals for specialized care; Newborn parent health & child safety education.

Our programs that expand access to care for low-income children include: Healthy Babies Program – provides free preventive exams for uninsured children ages , 3 days, 2 weeks, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 & 15 months; Healthy Kids Program - provides the 8 recommended annual physicals for children ages birth-2 years, & the 40 immunizations recommended for children ages birth to ten; Illness to Wellness Program - addresses the pediatric acute care needs, including brief or ongoing episodes of illness; School Based Clinic - through a unique partnership with LISD this clinic, located on-site at Central Elementary, opened in February 2016; Integrated Mental Health Services- our patient population already have barriers to care including mental health services that have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. PediPlace patient data reflects significant increases of behavioral/mental health diagnosis the past year compared to 6 months pre-COVID-19. We assist patients & their family system to navigate the complex medical & mental health care system & provide child & adolescent therapy; Parent Education- works to develop partnerships with parents to teach about their health concerns, medicines & the proper use of the emergency room; Family Care Fund- in order to help PediPlace's patients complete their full cycle of care, the Family Care Fund provides financial assistance for laboratory tests & prescription medication for uninsured children; & Reach Out and Read- builds upon the unique partnership between parent & medical provider to promote literacy & prepare children for school. Each patient receives an age appropriate book at the beginning of every well visit, ages 6 months through five years.

We understand that the safest family system is one where all members of the household are vaccinated against COVID-19, & therefore, PediPlace encourages & administers the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients & their adult family members.

PediPlace’s mission is making healthcare a reality for every kid.

In 2022, PediPlace received certification as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) from the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This certification comes from a national leader in healthcare quality, who identifies the PCMH as a model of care that puts patients at the forefront of care. PCMH’s build better relationships between patients & their clinical care teams. PCMH’s improve quality & the patient experience, while reducing health care costs. We have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement & a patient-centered approach to care.

PediPlace’s medical staff includes a Pediatrician with 28 years of pediatric experience, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners & Medical Assistants. They are supplemented by visiting volunteer physicians, medical professionals & nursing students.

Volunteers are a vital member of our team who share our commitment to helping children receive the highest quality of healthcare. Medical professionals are needed to supplement our ability to maximize quality care. In 2021, 478 volunteers provided 2,588 service hours.

PediPlace works in a coordinated relationship with public & private agencies including our County Health Departments, Medical City Healthcare, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, Lewisville Independent School District (LISD), Children's Health Dallas & Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas. Most relationships involve cross referrals for care. LISD and the LISD Health Services Department are both longtime PediPlace champions & utilize PediPlace as their primary referral source for students meeting our service criteria. PediPlace has a formal MOU with LISD for our school clinic located at Central Elementary School. PediPlace has a formal MOU with Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas to provide LPC services & additional expertise to PediPlace. PediPlace has a formal MOU with Health Services of North Texas.

Since access to care is a problem for underinsured children, their illnesses are more acute than in private pediatric practices. This acuteness often requires specialty care which PediPlace offers through our extensive referral network. This network allows uninsured children access to orthopedic, pulmonary, cardiac, & neurologic care. Our focus of being the patient’s medical home allows continuity of care without duplication of services.

Economic, language & cultural needs of our patients sets our organization apart. Language & cultural barriers are barriers to care. Our multicultural bilingual medical & office staff gives Spanish speaking clients access & understanding of the care they receive in their own language. We work closely with our Asian population to have translators available during visits.

PediPlace has served the North Texas community for 28 years & is committed to serve the uninsured & underinsured children for many years to come. As the population in our area grows, PediPlace looks to adapt to the increased patient load & their changing needs.

Our 2022 goals are:
•95% of patients and their families will identify PediPlace as their medical home. (2021 Results- 98%)
•75% of children 0-15 months will access the recommended 6 well child/preventive visits. (2021 Results- 77%)
•72% of patients ages 3-6 years will receive a well-exam. (2021 Results- 76%)
•72% of patients ages 12 years and older will receive a well-exam. (2021 Results- 71%)
•83% of patients will be able to schedule an appointment for an acute care “sick” visit the same day or next day of the date requested. (2021 Results- 73%)
•98% of patients and their families will indicate that they were happy with the care that was provided. (2021 Results- 99.6%)

Accomplishments and/or awards received:
• In 2022, PediPlace received certification as a Patient Centered Medical Home from the National Center for Quality Assurance.
• All eligible PediPlace providers achieved “meaningful use” status for 2021.
• PediPlace exceeded Health Quality Goals established by the Medicaid/CHIP managed care payers.
• In 2021, added an integrated Behavioral/Mental Health Program- A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) allows us to facilitate complex cases. Direct referral & access to in-house services in a trusted environment, enhance our medical home & timely & completely address issues.
• Actively encouraging & administering the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients & their family members. Since 7-1-21, we have administered doses of the COVID vaccine to children 5 years & older & doses to adult family members of patients. More than 80% of patients have returned for their 2nd dose.
• Achieved an Advanced Standards Level of Accomplishment Award from the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics.
• Received a 2021 Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Quality Standards Program.