BJC HealthCare - Healthy Kids Express

Overview

Healthy Kid Express (HKE), a mobile van program operated and fully staffed by BJC HealthCare’s St. Louis Children’s Hospital, has been bringing free health care services to children in need for more than 12 years. St. Louis includes a disproportionate lower-income population. With three mobile units, HKE helps families overcome barriers, such as lack of transportation and health insurance, which prevent them from obtaining the regular health care they need. This mobile health program literally drives health care services such as hearing and vision screenings, lead and anemia tests, immunizations, asthma management, and dental care directly to children.

Impact

In 2012, HKE provided 19,831 children with health services, including 6,213 dental encounters and 55,241 screenings comprising hearing, otoscopic, vision, binocularity, lead, anemia, and scoliosis. The HKE asthma program enrolled 1,152 students in the individualized asthma management program through school partnerships. In a random sample of 10 percent of asthma program participants, emergency department visits decreased by 16.8 percent.

Challenges/success factors

Relationships with local pediatricians, school districts, Urban League Head Start programs, day care centers, and other community organizations are an integral part of the program. By partnering with schools and community organizations, HKE is able to provide services in an environment that is familiar to the child. Collaboration with school nurses, social workers, and teachers ensures that HKE is able to identify and follow up with children in need.

Future direction/sustainability

HKE has fully implemented restorative dental services on one of the vans, offering fillings, crowns, extractions, and baby root canals. A food-allergy program has been funded through 2012. It is developing a food allergy toolkit for schools, which will be distributed nationally. The HKE team presented at 12 national and international conferences in 2012, hoping to change the landscape with information on best practices and results.

Advice to others

Following up with children who have failed screenings is paramount to the success of the program. Social workers and asthma coaches are invaluable partners in addressing the critical need for follow-up.

Contact: Kimberly Kitson
Communications Director
Telephone: 314-286-2047
E-mail: kkitson@bjc.org