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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'The Infant Audiology Quality Improvement Tool' Track: 2 - Audiological Services Keyword(s): Quality Improvement, Pediatric Audiology, Evaluation Learning Objectives: Participants will understand what the Infant Audiology Quality Improvement Tool is and how it came to be developed. Participants will understand how to utilize the Infant Audiology Quality Improvement Tool to asses the current organizational practice of audiology clinics evaluating the hearing of infants and children. Participants will understand how to utilize the Infant Audiology Quality Improvement Tool to design improvement initiatives that result in more positive experiences for families. Abstract: Do you work in an audiology clinic that provides good care to families and you want to make it great? Are you a State EHDI Coordinator who would like to see improved audiologic care for families and timely data reporting to the EHDI Program? Come learn how you can use the new Infant Audiology Quality Improvement (QI) Tool with your own audiology practice or with clinics in your state. EHDI programs are responsible for ensuring that all newborns that do not pass the hearing screen receive timely and appropriate audiological assessment. To help state EHDI programs reduce loss to follow-up, the Federal MCHB provided opportunities for states and territories to participate in QI Learning Collaboratives that were organized and supported by the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ). The Infant Audiology QI Tool grew out of the experiences and lessons learned from the State EHDI QI initiatives and their engagement with audiology partners. Currently, approximately 98% of newborns in the United States are screened for hearing loss at birth, but 35% of those that do not pass the screen lack a documented diagnosis. Prior to the collaborative, professionals reported concentrating on improving their own service, but had little opportunity to improve the connections between the services. Parents perceived a system of disconnected parts, with limited communication between providers. QI processes and activities eliminated waste, improved flow, and standardized care across the EHDI continuum. The Infant Audiology QI Tool is designed to identify opportunities to improve the care provided to infants and families, while creating efficiencies within Audiology organizations by listing targeted improvement areas that promote:the provision of high quality of care;information sharing between providers;effective communication with families. Completing these activities has been linked to both improved organizational processes and improved outcomes for families. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Elizabeth Seeliger - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter Department of Health Services      Credentials: Doctor of Audiology       Elizabeth Seeliger, AuD, is the Wisconsin Sound Beginnings Program Director and has worked as a clinical audiologist in a variety of settings, helping guide children and families through the process of hearing loss diagnosis and intervention. Elizabeth has been a leader in developing a data, tracking and referral system; educational resources for hospitals and providers; and an interactive notebook for parents. Elizabeth spearheaded the initiative to enable Wisconsin homebirth midwives to provide UNHS. Elizabeth has also provided technical assistance and consultation locally and internationally on quality improvement in EHDI systems. Elizabeth currently sits on the board of directors for the WI Chapter of Families for Hands & Voices and Hands & Voices HQ. She is a graduate of UW-Madison’s Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Advanced Clinical Practice Certificate Program.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.