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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Presenter Information:	Presenter 1: Name: Shirley Russ Affiliation: Dr. Shirley Russ is Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine. As a research fellow, Dr Russ was responsible for implementing and evaluating an infant hearing screening program in Victoria, Australia. She received the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation’s Research into Practice award for this work. In the U.S., Dr. Russ has served as EHDI Chapter Champion for Los Angeles, California since 2002. She is Clinical Co-Chair of the MCHB-HRSA funded NICHQ Learning Collaborative on Improving the System of Care for Children with Special Healthcare Needs, focusing on hearing loss and epilepsy. In January 2008, Dr Russ chaired a workshop convened by AHRQ and its federal partners, Accelerating Evidence-Based Recommendations into Practice for the Benefit of Children with Early Hearing Loss. Dr Russ is collaborating on a number of studies on the epidemiology of hearing loss both in the US and England. Presenter 2: Name: Denise Dougherty Affiliation:
Author Information:	Author 1: Name: Shirley Russ Affiliation: UCLA Author 2: Name: Denise Dougherty Affiliation: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Abstract Information:	Title: Accelerating Evidence into Practice for the Benefit of Children with Early Hearing Loss Primary Track: 7-Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance Keyword(s): Hearing Loss, Children, Evidence into Practice Abstract: Over the years, multiple groups have issued recommendations related to newborn hearing screening, many recognizing that improved outcomes for children and families depend not just on screening, but on effective methods of referral, follow-up, diagnosis, treatment, and management. In January 2008 relevant entities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, led by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) held an invitational workshop where a diverse group of over fifty national experts met for two days to consider ways to accelerate the movement of evidence-based recommendations into practice. Participants worked to set priorities among existing recommendations, identify those areas with the most potential for immediate improvement, and to create an actionable national blueprint to accelerate evidence into practice for the benefit of children with early hearing loss. This process highlighted a need for new types of research and quality improvement activity, teamwork, and shared responsibility among those who care for children with early hearing loss. Participants placed a high priority on measurement with improved data tracking of newborns following hearing screening, and creation of a limited set of national structure, process and outcome indicators to monitor progress toward evidence-based system goals. Participants identified a greater role for parents and families in contributing to system transformation, as well as the need for greater support to families with culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. Targeting NICU babies for early diagnostic testing, and creating best practice guidelines for early intervention were additional priorities. In response to recommendations made by the meeting participants, relevant federal agencies have agreed to build on existing collaborations to form a voluntary implementation workgroup. Presentation(s): Not Available Handouts: Not Available