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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Using Quality Improvement Methodologies to Engage Medical Specialty Providers in EHDI Programs '
Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement
Keyword(s): Quality Improvement, Model for Improvement, PDSA, Medical Home, Physicians
Learning Objectives:
  1. 1. Demonstrate the use of quality improvement methodologies in improving engagement of medical specialty providers in the follow-up of infants suspected of a hearing loss
  2. 2. Describe the attributes of the Model for Improvement and the Plan-Do-Study-Act process as it relates to Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNBHS) and the public health role in assuring access to timely follow-up for infants suspected of a hearing loss
  3. 3. Analyze toolkit survey feedback to evaluate effectiveness of toolkit that was provided

Abstract:
Delays in prompt hearing healthcare services are worsened by a shortage of pediatric audiology specialty services (audiologists, pediatric ENT/ORL)(White, 2003) especially in rural and underserved areas. Solutions to eliminate loss to follow-up and provide necessary services/resources can best be accomplished through a medical home(MH) strongly linked with specialty care services. We created an Iowa EHDI Toolkit to disseminate information, enhance communication and the exchange of information between providers. Iowa EHDI uses the Model for Improvement(MFI) methodology to guide our quality improvement work. The MFI includes three fundamental questions; 1. What are we trying to accomplish? 2. How will we know that a change is an Improvement? 3.What changes can we make that will result in an improvement? The second component of the model is the Plan-Do-Study-Act(PDSA) Cycle, the action part of the model and framework for learning; where you turn ideas into action and connect actions to learning. This presentation will focus on work to engage, educate, and train MH and community providers on the importance of EI and family support to ensure babies with a hearing loss are identified early and provided with timely/appropriate audiological, educational, medical intervention and family support resources. We’ll share our use of the MFI/PDSA cycles in small test of change to create, distribute and evaluate the toolkit. Toolkit contents include; a letter from our AAP Chapter Champion and our GBYS Program Coordinator, posters for hanging in office areas, Iowa Loss & Found Video, EI and GBYS brochures, AAP materials, a lanyard imprinted with “Can our babies hear?” and the Iowa EHDI phone number, and a flash drive with links to important state and national information that stakeholders need to know. The toolkit was distributed in March of 2013; mailed to 605 Primary Care Providers; 112 physical addresses, covering 77% of all Iowa births.
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
Vicki Hunting - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter
UI Center for Child Health Improvement and Innovation
     Credentials: BA, Quality & Operational Improvement Engineer
     Other Affiliations: Hands & Voices
      Vicki Hunting, B.A. is an Improvement Advisor/Project Director for University of Iowa (UI), Center for Child Health Improvement and Innovation. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1981 in Recreation, Program/Administration. Vicki is responsible for the Iowa HRSA/MCHB Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) program federal grant and mentoring UI resources on the Model for Improvement to test, implement/spread changes, data collection, develop and interpret run charts, use of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to test changes. She participated as Parent Partner, Data Coordinator and Project Leader on the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), Newborn Hearing Screening Collaborative. She is an Iowa Health System certified Quality Improvement Advisor and is a board member of Iowa Hands & Voices, a parent support organization for families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing and is the parent of a young adult with a profound hearing loss
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Tammy O'Hollearn - Co-Presenter
Iowa Department of Public Health
     Credentials: LBSW
      Tammy O’Hollearn, LBSW serves as the state coordinator for Iowa’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program and program director for the CDC EHDI grant. She has been in this role for the last seven and a half years. Ms. O’Hollearn oversees all grant activities including: infrastructure building; training and use of the EHDI web based data system (eSCREENER Plus), developing partnerships with early intervention, medical home and audiological service providers; program evaluation and analysis. Prior to 2006, she was involved with early intervention programming, contract management and program development within the Iowa Department of Public Health.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -