18th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 3-5, 2019 • Chicago, IL
Positive Outcomes with Enhanced Screening Protocols
The mandate of universal newborn hearing screening in all states has dramatically increased the number of infants tested for hearing loss prior to hospital discharge, but challenges remain around final refer rates and appropriate diagnostic follow up within the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) 1-3-6 time frame recommendations.
Standardized training, communication, and properly maintained equipment are essential elements for a successful screening program to maintain the highest standard of care. A dedicated screening program provides consistent training for screening staff whose competency and effectiveness are routinely monitored and measured through observation to ensure quality screening practices. Standardized policies and procedures deliver specific guidelines for screeners including prepping and optimal screening conditions to improve rescreen and final refer rates. Designated screening staff allows for reconciliation of screening data daily, weekly, and monthly. This enables a program to account for every baby as well as each baby’s status at discharge. Family centered care educates and engages parents in the screening and when necessary, the follow-up process. Loss to follow up improves when results and appropriate follow-up are clearly communicated both verbally and in writing at the time of screening. An additional component of a dedicated screening program is routinely monitoring and checking equipment on a standardized, documented, and frequent schedule. These added processes result in efficient trouble shooting and early recognition of unusual outcomes related to equipment malfunction. Maintaining back-up equipment on site with technical support to assist with installation reduces lost screening time and missed screens.
These combined practices consistently utilized help to decrease issues that can affect the health of a newborn hearing screening program. Comparing overall refer rates and loss to follow-up rates of screening results pre and post of a dedicated screening program will demonstrate the positive outcomes that can be achieved with enhanced screening protocols.
- Understand the key elements of standardized training to ensure quality screening practices.
- Importance of hospital level monitoring and reconciliation of data to improve program outcomes.
- The benefits of equipment monitoring and policy and procedure review throughout the year.
Poster:
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Presenter: Amanda Simpson
Amanda Simpson, Au.D., CCC-A graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans with her doctorate degree in audiology. Prior to that, she studied Communication Disorders at LSU main campus, where she discovered how rewarding it is to increase others’ quality of life through better hearing and communication. Amanda has worked for the Veterans Administration (VA) Audiology Clinic, and also dabbled in private practice before joining the Peloton team in January 2015. She currently works as an Area Supervisor for Peloton, supervising newborn hearing screening programs in Louisiana. During her free time, Dr. Simpson enjoys watching football, especially her Tigers and Saints, and loves spending time with her dog, Levee!
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary,Ownership interest for Employment,Management position from Natus Peloton, Inc.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Ashley Sherwin, RN, works for Natus Peloton,Inc as an Area Supervisor managing newborn hearing screen programs in Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. In this role, she provides direct supervision to more than 30 hearing screen technicians. Ashley holds degrees in Microbiology and Nursing and worked as an acute care nurse before joining the Peloton team in March of 2015.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment,Management position from Natus Peloton, Inc. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Julia Balbach, M.A., CCC-A is currently an Area Supervisor for Natus Peloton Inc overseeing newborn screening programs in multiple states in the Midwest and South. She received her Bachelors degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and her Master’s degree in Audiology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Prior to joining Natus Peloton in December, 2014, she was a long time Director of Audiology and an early intervention provider at the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, Indiana. She was also a regional audiology consultant for the Indiana EHDI program for 15 years.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Tammy Uehlin, Au.D., CCC-A received a Bachelor of Science (Speech/Language Pathology) and Master of Communication Disorders (Audiology) from Auburn University and Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida. She has been a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, (ASHA) for over 25 years. Her experience in clinical audiology includes working at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Hospital, Veterans Administration Medical Center, HealthSouth Rehabilitation, and in private practice at an otorhinolaryngology office. Her background in newborn hearing screening includes providing screenings, training and management in the hospital setting and working as an Audiology Consultant for a newborn hearing screening company. She served as the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Coordinator for the state of Georgia prior to joining Natus Peloton Inc. as an Area Supervisor.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Natus/Peloton Screening Services.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.