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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Collecting Accurate EHDI Data...TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS THE QUESTION' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): data management, quality improvement, reporting, electronic birth certificate Learning Objectives: Describe and discuss data improvement strategies for improving data quality as it relates to loss to follow up. Identify typical data discrepancies, challenges and solutions. Abstract: Collecting data and tracking infants through the EHDI process is critical for many reasons. EHDI programs must ensure they are meeting benchmarks set by national and state best practices for program outcomes; EHDI programs must report statistics to legislators especially if pursuing state funding; and states are also required to report to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)with specific criteria. Most importantly, EHDI programs have an ethical obligation to ensure that infants who fail a screen receive timely/appropriate services. Colorado has experienced several challenges in collecting and reporting data. In some cases, electronic birth certificate clerks (EBCs) submit birth certificates before the newborn screening is completed, decreasing documentation. EBCs may also inaccurately enter a failed screen as a bilateral pass which halts the database follow-up system for those children and skews accuracy of refer rates. Parents may not be given the results in their native language verbally and/or orally so may not understand before leaving the hospital that follow-up is necessary. During the diagnostic evaluation, the audiologist may submit incomplete data in order to commence early intervention processes but then fail to follow through with complete audiological data (diagnosis) or changes in the hearing loss. A significant challenge has been the difficulty of reporting accurate data to entities such as CDC when the early interventionists submit intervention data into the data system yet the audiologist has not reported the confirmed hearing loss. Hence, it appears that there are more children in EI then are diagnosed. This presentation will offer suggestions for increasing the likelihood of better data through the use of quality improvement strategies. Typical discrepancies in data will be identified. Attendees will be able to share their strategies for improved data. 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
Erica McKiever - Primary Presenter,Author Colorado Dept. of Public Health      Credentials: MA, LPC       Erica McKiever is the Supervisor of the Newborn Hearing Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Prior to her role as supervisor, Erica was the Newborn Hearing Follow-Up Coordinator and has been involved with EHDI since October of 2010. Erica is a licensed psychotherapist and has worked in the areas of maternal and infant health since 1998.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Vickie Thomson - Author University of Colorado      Credentials: PhD       Vickie Thomson, PhD, served at the Director of the Colorado Newborn Hearing Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment from 1991 to 2012. She received her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1978 and her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2007. As a clinical audiologist Vickie started one of the first infant hearing programs at Boulder Community Hospital. She has provided technical assistance in developing screening programs in Colorado and in other states and countries. She has written numerous articles on the importance of early identification and intervention of hearing loss in infants. She currently is the principle investigator if the HRSA EHDI grant and is a consultant to the National Center on Hearing Assessment and Management.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.