Program areas at AZAAP
the Arizona pediatric quality improvement institute (apqii) is a center of excellence for improving pediatric health outcomes across the state through quality improvement and continuous medical education efforts. Located at the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, apqii identifies the needs of pediatric professionals across the state to support their work and set the standard for pediatric health care in Arizona.
the Arizona center for emotional and behavioral health: the Arizona center for emotional and behavioral health is a physician led program that increases the capacity of pediatric healthcare professionals to address the mental health needs of Arizona children. Through continuing medical education, case-based learning, and collaborative partnerships, the program equips professionals with knowledge and resources to serve families around the state.
Reach out and read Arizona: partnering with more than 200 private practices, community health centers, indian health services, hospitals, and military installations across the state, doctors and nurse practitioners promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms by integrating children's books and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud into well-child visits.
Medical services project: for almost 30 years, physicians and other health care professionals statewide have donated their services to thousands of uninsured children through the medical services project (msp), a program of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Azaap). At little cost to their families, school-aged children receive health-related services including pediatric primary care and specialty referrals, prescription medication, diagnostic laboratory services and eye glasses. Based on referrals from school and public health nurses, msp connects physicians to Arizona's uninsured and underinsured children from low-income families which do not otherwise qualify for health care coverage. the children receive low-cost medical appointments with participating physicians who believe that access to care for children should not be restricted to only those who have health coverage. the doctors and nurses who participate in medical services project give very generously of their time and talent to msp.
Pediatric prepared emergency care: this program, which opened for membership in 2011, is a voluntary program recognizing hospitals that have demonstrated their ability to stabilize and/or manage pediatric emergencies. Azaap's voluntary certification program recognizes hospitals that meet specific criteria for personnel training and equipment that support optimal care for ill or injured infants, children, and teens.
Child fatality review: coordinating the Arizona child fatality review program for maricopa county, the goal is to reduce preventable child fatalities through systematic, multidisciplinary, multiagency, and multimodality reviews of child fatalities in Arizona. This is accomplished through interdisciplinary training and community-based prevention education and through data driven recommendations for legislation and public policy.
Member services: providing support and services to pediatricians and pediatric healthcare professionals, to ensure positive outcomes for Arizona children, is at the core of Azaap's mission. Member services include evidence-based resources, training and education, advocacy, technical and career support, and workforce development needs.