Introduction

Guidelines in this document provide information on preventive services by age group. Recommendations regarding the implementation of these guidelines should not be interpreted as standards of care but rather as statements regarding the quality of the supporting scientific evidence.

The periodic health visit is an important opportunity for the delivery of clinical preventive services and should be implemented according to the schedules provided. Physicians should share the responsibility of completing these services with nurses, health educators, dieticians and other allied health professionals as appropriate. Physicians should also ask their receptionist to encourage members to read educational materials that they have reviewed, approved and placed in the office reception areas.

These guidelines are based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. The preventive guidelines are listed for the following categories:

1. Contraindications and Precautions for Childhood Immunizations
2. Birth to 24 Months
3. Ages 2-6
4. Ages 7-12
5. Ages 13-18
6. Ages 19-39
7. Ages 40-64
8. Ages 65 and Over
9. Pregnant Women

This list of preventive services is not exhaustive. It reflects only those topics reviewed by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Clinicians may wish to add other preventive services on a routine basis, based on the patient's medical history and other individual circumstances. Examples of target conditions not specifically examined by the Task Force include:

• Developmental disorders
• Musculoskeletal
• Malformations
• Cardiac anomalies
• Metabolic disorders
• Speech problems
• Behavioral disorders
• Parent/family dysfunction