18th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 3-5, 2019 • Chicago, IL
Newborn Hearing Screening Lost to Follow-up Rates and Potential Correlative or Predictive Factors
Background: Newborn hearing screening (NBHS) lost to follow-up (LFU) rates in the United states continue to be higher than desired. Different factors have previously been shown to significantly affect LFU rates. This study looked at the national LFU rate over the last three years (2013-2015) of available Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data as well as different factors and protocols at the facility and state level to determine their potential effects on LFU rates.
Method: Two electronic surveys were created using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap): one for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) state leaders and one for NBHS program coordinators. Surveys were sent electronically and via regular mail requesting their participation.
Results: A total of 35/51 (68.6%) complete responses were obtained from EHDI state leaders, and 164 complete responses were obtained from NBHS coordinators. Statistical analyses revealed no significant change in the national LFU rate over the three year period analyzed. The LFU rate was determined to be significantly affected by three factors: screening method utilized, number of newborns screened annually at the facility level, and whether or not a member of the state EHDI office contacts families after they miss a follow-up appointment. However, the LFU rate was not significantly affected by the following six factors: facility refer rate, electronic submission option for NBHS data, whether or not reports are sent directly to the pediatrician, if appointment reminders were provided prior to follow-up outpatient appointments, whether or not audiologists provide counseling after a baby refers an outpatient re-screening, and utilization of a two-step screening protocol.
Conclusion: The national LFU rate has not shown a significant decrease over the three year period analyzed. Some factors were shown to have a relationship with LFU rate. Consideration of these findings may lead to improved guidelines for NBHS program protocols.
- The participant will learn the significance of the trajectory of NBHS LFU from 2013-2015.
- The participant will learn the impact of state leaders following up with parents after missed appointments.
- The participant will learn the effect of increased number of babies screened annually on facility-level LFU rates.
Poster:
18878_10186AndiKottlowski.pdf
Presenter: Andi Kottlowski
I am a 4th year AuD student at Gallaudet University currently completing my externship at Loma Linda University Health Care in California. I am interested in working with the pediatric population, particularly working to provide all the communication opportunities to parents who have a newly identified Deaf/hard of hearing child.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.