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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Presenter Information:
Presenter 1: Name: Randi Winston

Affiliation: NCHAM

Presenter 2: Name: Bradley Golner
Affiliation: Phoenix Pediatrics

Author Information:
Author 1: Name: Randi Winston
Affiliation: NCHAM
Author 2: Name: Bradley Golner
Affiliation: Phoenix Pediatrics
Abstract Information:
Title: Improving Screening Practices in Primary Healthcare Settings Using Combined OAE/Tympanometry Screening
Primary Track: 4-Medical Home
Keyword(s): OAE, tympanometry, screening, pediatric, healthcare

Abstract:

The effectiveness of using OAE screening technology in children birth to three years of age, in early childhood and pediatric medical settings has been well established. Several authors have reported that with the proper training and protocols OAEs can be highly effective in providing an objective method for screening outer hair cell function. The presence or absence of OAEs alone, however, is not a direct measure of middle ear pathology. If a child fails their OAE screening, middle ear dysfunction must be diagnosed and treated before the outer hair cells can be effectively assessed. Although most pediatricians have access to tympanometry in their practices, it is often not used consistently often because of time, inadequate training and logistical challenges. They often rely on quick, subjective and less effective methods to confirm the presence of middle ear fluid. In an effort to improve the standard of care to babies who fail their OAE screening, we conducted a study to investigate the feasibility and usefulness of using combined automated screening technology to conduct an OAE/tympanometry (226 or 1000 Hz) sequence in two, high volume pediatric health care settings. Both offices were already screening periodically with handheld OAEs. Prior to the study, the community health clinic was using visual otoscopy as the sole method for detection and diagnosis of middle ear dysfunction. This session will discuss the findings and demonstrate how automated combination screening can: a) be easily incorporated into high volume, primary health care settings, b) enhance and validate the OAE screening results, c) help physicians expedite the course of treatment, d) improve physician time and patient flow in the office.
Presentation(s): Not Available
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