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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Regional Collaboration in the Northeast United States: Moving the Needle through Quality Improvement Efforts' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): evaluation, quality improvement, regional Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about how the Northeast states use quality improvement methods to improve program outcome. Participants will learn about challenges in EHDI systems and gain knowledge on ways states have used quality improvement to address concerns. Abstract: The Northeast states (MA,ME,RI,CT,VT,NY,NH) are seeking a regional approach to move the needle on the nationally established goals and objectives for early hearing detection and intervention: all infants will be screened for hearing loss by one month of age, all infants who do not pass their hearing screening will receive audiological testing and achieve diagnosis by three months of age, and all infants with hearing loss will be enrolled in appropriate intervention services by six months of age. States will discuss how they have been meeting together through a series of conference calls to discuss quality improvement efforts. States will each share data collected and quality improvement approaches being carried out through plan, do, study, act (PDSA) cycles. Quality improvement efforts presented will include topics such as the following: ensuring hearing screening and follow-up testing for transferred infants who may be at greater risk of being diagnosed with hearing loss, identifying reasons why some infants receive audiological testing but do not receive a timely diagnosis (e.g., degree and type of hearing loss not determined), and factors associated with infants becoming lost to follow-up/lost to documentation (LTF/LTD). We expect this will be interesting to states working on quality improvement efforts. 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 CART: CART Transcription is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Courtney Ferraro - Co-Presenter EHDI Program Coordinator for New Hampshire             ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Janet Farrell - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Author,POC Department of Public Health      Credentials: BA      Other Affiliations: DSHPSHWA, New England Regional Genetics Group       Ms. Farrell is the Program Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She is also the Project Director of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement and Maternal and Child Health grant. She is a senior manager in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Program in MA.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Amy Mirizzi - Co-Presenter Connecticut Department of Public Health      Credentials: MPH, CPH       Amy Mirizzi has served as the Connecticut EHDI Coordinator since 2008. She was hired by the Connecticut Department of Public Health in 2005 to oversee EHDI tracking and surveillance. She is a member and past chair of the CT EHDI Task Force, a member of the CT Department of Rehabilitation Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Board, and a member of the Directors of Speech and Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies. Ms. Mirizzi is responsible for overall program functions, policy development, technical support to hospitals and diagnostic testing centers, consultation on database design and development, provider and family education and outreach, and ongoing program evaluation.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Liza Then - Co-Presenter Rhode Island Department of Health      Credentials: N/A       Liza is the EHDI coordinator for Rhode Island.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Linda Hazard - Co-Presenter Vermont Department of Health      Credentials: Ed.D CCC-A, FAAA      Other Affiliations: ASHLA, AAA       Dr. Linda Hazard is currently the Director of the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. Employed by the only tertiary hospital in the state and contracted to the department of health. Member of the state Hearing Advisory Council and Speech Language Hearing Association (VSHA). Dr Hazard has a doctoral degree in Leadership and Social Policies. Prior to her position at VTEHDI Dr. Hazard worked for Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and was the Director of Audiology and the Cochlear Implant Program at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Regina Bryde - Co-Presenter NYS Dept of Health      Credentials: M.A., M.P.A.       Regina Bryde received her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology from Ithaca College and a Masters in Clinical Audiology from the University of Buffalo. She also received a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University. She has worked as a clinical audiologist at Upstate Medical Center and in private practice. She has also worked in health communications and administration at the UAlbany School of Public Health. She is currently employed in the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program at the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Betsy Glencross - Co-Presenter Maine Newborn Hearing Screening Program      Credentials: EHDI Coordinator       Maine EHDI Coordinator       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.