IPHC recommends the following websites for information developed by Pediatric Health Care Professionals to help parents self-educate about important topics

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners has partnered with Nemours to provide a wonderful parent education online resource. You can learn more about PNPs and what we do as well as browse their public library os research, click the link and scroll down to view all topics https://www.napnap.org/patient-family-information/

Health Children parent website from the AAP full of articles to inform parents of various pediatric topics https://healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/pages/default.aspx

Children’s Hospital Philadelphia has an incredible education portal, specifically for vaccines https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center and other common conditions and info https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases 

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To read IPHC’s vaccine education and resource guide click here

IPHC providers encourage all clients to immunize and affirm that vaccinations are one of the single most important, effective, and safe measure available to avoid unnecessary suffering, illness, and death from preventable disease. Our NPs do not endorse any alternative immunization schedules as they are not evidence based.

Previously, IPHC has accepted new clients who do not immunize or follow alternative schedules. While we do not take this decision lightly, as of January 2022, IPHC has decided not to accept new clients who do not immunize. If you would like to speak with our providers about this decision, feel free to reach out.

If incoming clients have previously not vaccinated or are behind on vaccinations, our office will require a catch-up plan to be mutually agreed upon before being accepted as a client. IPHC NPs will discuss this on a case-by-case basis.

Existing clients who do not immunize or who follow delayed schedules may continue care with the practice if they chose but will be asked to follow the policy for non-medical exemption. IPHC requires the parent to watch the non-medical exemption video from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) and provide a certificate of completion. This is also a requirement for any child enrolled in a licensed child-care facility or school in Colorado Effective 2021. The video is a helpful way to provide a consistent and efficient method to ensure clients understand their decision-making regarding non-medical exemption for vaccination.

The non-medical exemption video can be found here.  Scroll to the bottom of the page that says “Online Education Module”

The certificate of non-medical exemption form must be submitted WITH the certificate of completion of the video. The video certificate takes the place of the “provider signature” on the non-medical exemption form. Our Nurse Practitioners WILL NOT sign certificates of non-medical exemption and therefore the video certificate will fulfill the state requirement in lieu of our signature.

We DO NOT sign medical exemptions

Pediatric development is a complex process and no two children develop the same way, not even identical twins. Pediatric Nurse Practitioners are skilled at screening for, diagnosing, and offering treatment plans for children who have developmental needs that may vary from what is typical at a given age. There is no normal, every child is unique. However, scientific and medical advancements have helped us recognize that early detection and treatment for developmental, behavioral, and social concerns improves outcomes. While parents are the experts on their children, our Pediatric Nurse Practitioners are the experts on how to recognize opportunities to support the whole child’s experience and our mutual goals to maintain wellness and wellbeing.

Growth & development is one of the most important aspects of being a Pediatrician and it’s the one of the core reasons why IPHC requires well visits to be followed according to a schedule. Relationships and getting to know families are extremely important aspects to achieving excellent quality care for kids; and wellness visits are so important to the development of a relationship between Provider, Child and Family. In Pediatrician and health care offices in Denver and surrounding states, providers follow clinical guidelines from a variety of professional organizations. In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed a schedule of wellness checkups and the types of screenings to perform at each visit that we all tend to follow which is called the Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule.

While doctors and nurses have expertise in many areas, Pediatric Growth and Development is part of our core focus and expertise at IPHC. More importantly, knowing how to support children who have diverse developmental, neurological, social-emotional and physical needs is our specialty. If your child has a growth or developmental concern we will discuss that with the parent and child when appropriate in a holistic, educational, evidence based and caring way. We work with you to provide all the best options we have available to kids in Denver and surrounding areas to support growth and development. Parents and caregivers can ask our Pediatric Nurse Practitioners all your questions (yes, ALL of them) anytime! This is why we have longer visits than most Pediatrician offices, and we have expertise in case management and a smooth referral process for things that come up along the way.

Wellness visits are at ages 1-3 days of life, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months and 36 months then annually for the rest of the lifespan. The screening performed at those visits will vary but are outlines in the Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule.

Helpful tools and resources to understand pediatric development are listed below:

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners has partnered with Nemours to provide a wonderful parent education online resource. You can learn more about PNPs and what we do as well as browse their public library os research, click the link and scroll down to view all topics https://www.napnap.org/patient-family-information/

Health Children parent website from the AAP full of articles to inform parents of various pediatric topics https://healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/pages/default.aspx

Children’s Hospital Philadelphia has an incredible education portal, specifically for vaccines https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center and other common conditions and info https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases

Every state has an Early Intervention Program that receives state and federal funds to give families the opportunity to self-refer if they have a developmental concern and want their child evaluated for kids under age 5. We always encourage parents to talk to us about development but believe parents should always know they can have their child evaluated anytime if they are worried.
For children ages 0 through age 3, parents can self-refer to Early Intervention Colorado by finding their county’s Community Centered Board (CCB). For Early Intervention ages birth-3 click this link and select your county for referral info https://coloradoofficeofearlychildhood.secure.force.com/eicolorado/EI_CCB?lang=en

For children ages 3-5, parents can self refer to ChildFind which is based on their school district. For ChildFind ages 3-5 click this link and select your county for referral info https://www.cde.state.co.us/early/childfinddirectoryinfo

Because of the unique needs of children, we recommend a pediatric hospital when possible. Below are pediatric hospitals we recommend and hospitals near our clinic.

Children’s Hospital of Colorado Campuses:
Anchutz Medical Campus (main hospital)
13123 E 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234

South Campus
1811 Plaza Dr
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-478-1234

Uptown Denver
1830 Franklin Street
Denver, CO 80218
720-777-1360

Rocky Mountain Hospital For Children Locations:

Swedish Medical Center
501 E Hampden Ave
Englewood, CO 80113
303-788-5000

Presbyterian St. Lukes (Main Hospital)
2001 High Street
Denver CO 80205
720-754-1000

IPHC uses a patient portal that is HIPAA compliant and is a great way to direct message the Nurse Practitioners with questions, request appointments, attach photos etc. You can also view your child’s recent vital signs and summaries of recent visits, update your demographic and insurance information and health history.

Click here to log-in to the patient portal

Trouble logging in? Try the forgot username or forgot password feature. If that doesn’t work, you can request assistance with your login by clicking here