The Automated Record for Child Health (ARCH): Improving the Quality of Pediatric Primary Care

Background. Little is known about the quality of primary care services delivered in pediatric primary care centers. Only immunizations are routinely monitored in most practices. The use ofcomputer-based patient records in pediatric primary care centers offers the potential to improve quality in areas such as: 1) improved data quality and access; 2) prompting of clinicians; 3) improved patient education via handouts; and 4) reduction of administrative burden (forms and reminder letters). Despite'these potential benefits, few pediatric practices routinely use a computer-based patient records (CPR).