The diffusion of a pediatric care innovation in a large urban nonprofit health care system

This article documents and analyzes the diffusion of an innovation in pediatric primary care, the HealthySteps for Young Children Program, in a large health care system, Advocate Health Care in Chicago. We useEverett Rogers's model (1995) for the diffusion of innovations to provide the framework for thisdiscussion of the key decision points, challenges, obstacles, critical success factors, and other factors thathave contributed to the ongoing expansion efforts in Advocate. In so doing we chronicle the progression ofHealthy Steps from Advocate's initial decision to pilot the program at five pediatric sites to itsdecision to expand the approach broadly within the Advocate system. Rogers's model facilitates bothdescription and the development of useful guides for future innovations within a broad range of nonprofitorganizations.