Presbyterian Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
Preventive care services include screenings, immunizations and physical exams that help you to stay healthy. Regular preventive care can also help to identify a health condition before you begin to experience symptoms--and early detection can mean the difference between continuing good health and illness. Keep in mind that your healthcare provider is the best source to answer questions about your health and that these guidelines are for healthy children and adults.
Presbyterian Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
WHAT PREVENTIVE CARE DO YOU NEED?
From infancy through age 20, learn about the recommended exams, screenings and immunizations.
From ages 21 to 65 and older, learn about when screenings, tests and immunizations (yes, it’s true: you’re never too old for immunizations!) are recommended.
From your first visit with your healthcare provider through to your baby’s birth, learn about the recommended screenings and what to discuss with your doctor during your pregnancy.
Children and Adolescent Guidelines
| Infancy- Age 1 | Ages 1-10 | Ages 11-20 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tot-to-Teen Health Check (complete examination that includes vision, hearing, development, and behavioral health screening) | ||||
Visit your PCP for this complete exam at birth and when your child is 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. | Visit your PCP for this complete exam when your child is 15, 18, and 24 months, and 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 years of age. | Visit your PCP for this complete exam when your child is 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 years of age. | ||
Blood lead screening | ||||
At 12 months | At 24 months | |||
Laboratory (lab) tests | ||||
Ask your PCP if your child needs any laboratory (lab) tests | ||||
Immunizations* | ||||
Ask your PCP or nurse at every office visit if your child needs immunizations. | ||||
Screening for Chlamydia (a curable sexually transmitted disease that can lead to infertility) | ||||
All sexually active females 24 and younger and for others at increased risk.
Discuss with your PCP. | ||||
Screening for rubella | ||||
Once for all females of childbearing age by history of vaccination or blood test. | ||||
Screening for high blood pressure | ||||
Blood pressure measurements at every well child visit starting at age 3. | ||||
Screening for obesity | ||||
Screen children age 6 and older for obesity | ||||
Health Education and Development Counseling | ||||
Age-appropriate health education and development counseling should encompass some of the following:Infancy - Age 1Baby bottle tooth decay
Breastfeeding for child's health
Iron-enriched formula (less than age 1)
Impact of second-hand smoke
Sleep positioning
Smoke detectors
Hot water temperature less than 120 degrees F
Child safety seatsAges 1 – 10Regular physical activity
Healthy diet
Dental care
Not using tobacco and impact of second-hand smoke
Prevention of household injuries
Smoke detectors
Hot water temperature less than 120 degrees F
Window/stair guards
Safe storage/removal of firearms
Remove or lock up poisons and cleaning supplies
Lock up prescription drugs
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training for parents/caretakers
Put Poison Control number at each telephone
Air bag safety
Child safety car seats
Lap/shoulder belts
Bicycle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle (ATV) helmet use
Pool safetyAges 11 - 20Regular physical activity
Healthy diet
Dental care
Not using tobacco and impact of second-hand smoke
Prevention of illegal drug use and underage drinking
Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Prevention of unintended/mistimed pregnancies
Prevention of household injuries
Smoke detectors
Safe storage/removal of firearms
Airbag safety
Child safety car seats
Lap/shoulder belts
Bicycle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle (ATV) helmet use
Pool safety | ||||
*Subject to benefit plan and its limitations.
Adult Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
| Ages 21-64 | Ages 65 and older | |
|---|---|---|
Breast cancer screening | ||
Mammogram (special x-ray of breast) every 1-2 years for women 40 and older. | ||
Cervical cancer screening | ||
Pap smear testing for women ages 21-65 every 3 years. | ||
Screening for Chlamydia (a curable sexually transmitted disease that can lead to infertility) | ||
All sexually active women 24 and younger and for others at
increased risk.
Discuss with your PCP. | All sexually active women at increased risk.
Discuss with your PCP. | |
Screening for colorectal (intestine/gut) cancer | ||
For all individuals ages 50-75:
By testing for blood in stool every year for everyone 50 and older.
Discuss sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy with your PCP. | ||
Screening for Type 2 Diabetes | ||
Discuss with your PCP. | ||
Blood pressure check | ||
At least every 2 years. | ||
Lipid/cholesterol testing | ||
At least every 5 years for men ages 35 and older.
At least every 5 years for women 45 and older. | ||
Screening for osteoporosis* (bone thinning) | ||
For women age 64 and younger at increased risk.
Discuss with your PCP. | For women ages 65 and older. Discuss with your PCP. | |
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (a heart problem) | ||
Men ages 65-75 who have ever smoked (one-time test). | ||
Height, weight, and obesity | ||
Height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) at every office visit. | ||
Screening for rubella | ||
Once for all women of childbearing age by history of vaccination or
blood test. | ||
Testing for tuberculosis | ||
Discuss with your PCP. | ||
Screening for depression | ||
Discuss with your PCP. | ||
Screening for behavioral health problems (mental health and drug abuse) | ||
First PCP visit. | ||
Testing for hearing and vision problems | ||
Discuss with your PCP. | ||
Immunizations** (shots) | ||
Ask your PCP about immunizations you may need. | ||
Flu shot every year. | ||
Tetanus booster | ||
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccine for ages 60 and older (one-time vaccine). | ||
Pneumococcal vaccine | ||
Health Education and Counseling | ||
Age-appropriate health education and counseling should encompass some of the following:Ages 21 - 64Regular physical activity
Healthy diet
Adequate calcium intake
Not using/quitting tobacco
Avoid alcohol misuse
Prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Prevention of unintended/mistimed pregnancies
Prevention of injuries (motor vehicle, household, and recreational)
Discussion of prevention of chronic diseases for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Use of aspirin for members at risk for heart disease:
Men ages 45-79 years
Women ages 55-79Ages 65 and olderRegular physical activity
Healthy diet
Not using/quitting tobacco
Avoid alcohol misuse
Prevention of injuries (motor vehicle, household, and recreational)
Fall prevention
Prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Discussion of prevention of chronic diseases for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
Use of aspirin for members at risk for heart disease:
Men ages 45-79 years
Women ages 55-79 years | ||
*Subject to Medicare coverage guidelines. **Subject to benefit plan and its limitations.
Pregnancy Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
Visit a practitioner as soon as you think you might be pregnant.
Your practitioner will tell you how often you need to visit after your first visit, usually every four weeks until your last trimester, then every two weeks, and then every week during the last month.
You will need to visit your practitioner again 4-6 weeks after you deliver your baby.
Follow these guidelines in addition to those listed for your age.
| Weeks 4 - 28 |
|---|
What to expectAt your first visit with your healthcare practitioner you may receive a full physical exam, take blood for lab tests, calculate your due date, receive a breast exam, pelvic exam to check your uterus (womb), and cervical exam, including a Pap test.Discuss with your practitionerBalanced nutrition, ideal caloric intake and weight gain
Multivitamin with folic acid
Flu shot
Tobacco cessation/effects of passive smoking
Alcohol/other drug use
Lap/shoulder beltsPrenatal testsYour blood type and Rh factor
Anemia
Infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Signs that you are immune to rubella and chicken poxOther potential prenatal screeningsAmniocentesis (check for certain birth defects)
Chorionic villus (check for certain birth defects)
First trimester screen and Ultrasound exam
Maternal serum screen (AFP) (detect higher risk of chromosomal disorders or neural tube defects) |
| Weeks 28 - 36 |
|---|
What to expectKeeping track of your baby's movements is a good way to detect any signs of distress or if a doctor's care is needed. Discuss the monitoring of fetal movements with your practitioner.Discuss with your practitionerBalanced nutrition, ideal caloric intake and weight gain
Multivitamin with folic acid
Flu shot
Tdap booster
Tobacco cessation/effects of passive smoking
Alcohol/other drug use
Lap/shoulder beltsPotential prenatal screeningsGlucose challenge screening (check for mother's risk of gestational diabetes)
Glucose tolerance test (test to diagnose for gestational diabetes)
Nonstress test (test for fetal distress) |
| Weeks 36 - birth |
|---|
Discuss with your practitionerRubella after delivery, if needed
Breastfeeding for child's health benefits
Infant safety car seats
Importance of postpartum visit (follow-up visit for mom after baby is born)
Birth control (at postpartum visit)Potential prenatal screeningsBiophysical profile and Ultrasound exam
Group B streptococcus infection (check for bacteria that can cause pneumonia or serious infection in newborn)Be sure to set up your postpartum visit no later than 4-6 weeks from your delivery date. |
