Saskatchewan In-Hospital Questionaire
Birth Screening

What is the purpose behind Saskatchewan’s In- Hospital Questionnaire?

The In-Hospital Questionnaire is part of Saskatchewan’s preventative approach to ensure that all children get the best possible start in life and are supported by the communities that they live in.  The program is designed to:

  • Identify vulnerable children at the earliest opportunity
  • Ensure that these children and families are directed to needed services and support as quickly as possible
  • Encourage communities to examine the programs and services that are presently available and to develop new and creative programs which will better meet the needs of the families who live there
  • Encourage service providers to work together to offer families the best integrated services possible; and also to look at the way they provide services to ensure that the services offered are in line with what the family actually wants and needs

What is Saskatchewan’s In-Hospital  Questionnaire?

Saskatchewan’s In-Hospital Questionnaire is a screening tool which examines a number of different factors.  Before leaving the hospital with their newborns, mothers are asked to share pertinent information regarding their new baby and family.  Information shared may include:

  • Health challenges facing the newborn, such as major and minor disabilities (ie:  Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Cleft Palate, etc)
  • Developmental factors facing the newborn, such as high or low birth weight, pregnancy events, labour and delivery events, family history of a genetic health challenge, etc.
  • Family Interaction Factors, such as the age of the mother, and the circumstances she is going home to – such as social situation, financial difficulties, mental illness or challenges (ie:  postpartum depression), lack of mother-child bonding, etc.

Must I agree to participate in Saskatchewan’s In-Hospital Questionnaire?

No, participation in Saskatchewan’s In-Hospital Questionnaire is totally voluntary.  It is hoped that mothers will consider the benefits not only of immediate access to needed programs, supports and services, but also to community, and agree to participate.

What is a “positive” questionnaire?

Each of the factors included on the questionnaire tool is weighted from 0 to 9.  Scores of 9 and above are considered positive.

 Will I know my score?  When?

Yes, upon completion of the questionnaire, all information will be shared with the mother.

Where does this information go?  Whom is it shared with?  Is my name or my baby’s name revealed to anyone?

Before participating in Saskatchewan’s In-Hospital Questionnaire, mothers are asked to sign a consent form allowing the information with the screen to be shared with:

  • Public Health.  All questionnaires – whether positive, negative, or refused – will be sent to Public Health.  Public Health will enter the information on their database and forward the screen to the appropriate Public Health Nurse, who will visit your home and help to connect you and your family with any needed services.
  • Regional Community Developer.  At the end of each month, Public Health will forward data to the RegionalCommunity Developer.  This data will include the number of positive questionnaires in the Health Region and the communities where these families live.They will use the data to determine “clusters” where communities may be in need of improved early childhood programs and services, and will work with those communities towards developing needed early childhood programs and services.  The Regional Community Developer will not receive any information regarding the identity of the family.

For more information, please feel free to contact any of the following:

Your local Public Health Nurse:

Carlyle:             453-6131
Coronach:         267-5705
Estevan:            637-3626
Kipling:             736-2522
Oxbow:             483-2313
Radville:            869-2555
Redvers:           452-3464
Weyburn:          842-8618

Mary Anne Veroba
Manager - St. Joseph’s Hospital
Phone:  (306) 634-0400
 
Brenda Freeman
Manager – Weyburn General Hospital
Phone: (306) 842-8400

Public Health Nursing Supervisor
Phone: (306) 842-8621

Madeleine Valentine
Regional KidsFirst Community Developer
Phone: (306) 453-2071