MetroHealth Pediatrics Sees Record Number of Visits in 2016

2016 was a record-breaking year for MetroHealth pediatrics.For the first time, the System’s Center for Children's Health saw more than 100,000 visits in a calendar year. The record 108,424 child and adolescent appointments in 2016 was a 13.5% increase over 2015.Dr. Nazha Abughali, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, attributes this increase to the expansion of MetroHealth into the former HealthSpan locations and the deployment of more pediatricians and specialists throughout the System. In addition to the record-setting visits, pediatrics at MetroHealth grew in many other ways in 2016. These include:

• Expanding of the allergy program in the community, which is now at five locations.
• Assigning a child psychologist to the pediatric clinic to work side-by-side with pediatricians to address patients’ behavioral and psychological needs during primary care visits.
• Growing the System’s foster care program. Now nearly every child in foster care has their initial and 30-day checkups at MetroHealth; many of these children are referred to specialists for continuing care.

“Most importantly I believe that this is really a collaborative effort of all: secretaries, PSRs, MTAs, nurses, child life, dietitians, psychologists, social workers, physicians, residents, nurse practitioners and many others,” said Dr. Abughali. “We are really thankful for this growth and hoping we continue to grow to provide the best quality of care to our children and adolescents.”