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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'A Multipronged Approach for Including Quality Improvement Initiatives in the Daily Life of an EHDI Program' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): Quality Improvement, Measurement, Evaluation Learning Objectives: Describe examples of PDSA Cycles that can be implemented in EHDI programs. Describe how quality improvement initiatives can be measured and evaluated. Abstract: The focus of EHDI programs nationwide is on quality improvement methodology aimed at reducing loss to follow up in screening, diagnosis of permanent hearing loss and entrance into early intervention services. Plan, Do, Study Act (PDSA) cycles are an effective tool in implementing and assessing small tests of change. Data driven quality improvement initiatives can be successfully integrated into the daily life of EHDI programs. The Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI) is part of a fully integrated data base system at the Vermont Department of Health that includes electronic birth records, electronic death records, immunizations, lead, newborn screening and newborn hearing screening. The following presentation includes multiple examples of successful PDSA cycles that have been effectively implemented, integrated and adopted into the day to day business of the VTEHDI program. Additionally this presentation will include examples of challenging PDSA cycles that led to changes in our quality improvement initiatives or were abandoned in lieu of more effective tests of change. Our program uses a multipronged approach to reducing loss to follow up for screening, diagnosis and entrance into early intervention. Evaluation and measurement of quality improvement initiatives are critical in identifying successful methods of improving EHDI programs nationwide. Our program currently uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches when assessing quality improvement. Quantitative methods answer the question on how successful the test of change is from a data perspective in meeting the JCIH 1, 3, 6 goals. Qualitative methodology is often used to understand the “why” behind the data improvement. Finally this presentation will include evaluation and measurement examples currently used by VTEHDI. 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
Linda Hazard - Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,POC 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. Stacy Jordan - Co-Presenter VTEHDI      Credentials: MA CCC-A      Other Affiliations: AAC       Stacy Jordan is the Project Coordinator for the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI) and state representative on the Audiology Advisory Council for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 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). Her vairous positions over the last thirteen years have been directly related to EHDI at the state and national levels. She established and coordinated the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening program at the state's tertiary hospital, provided screenings to children birth to eight years old state-wide for a mobile clinical program called the Hearing Outreach Program (HOP) and directed Vermont's EHDI program for five years.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.