Program Objectives

Performance Indicators

 
6.1 Comprehensive system. Each state will have a computerized system that maintains current information on hearing screening for every infant, evaluation for all infants and children who do not pass the screening, and interventions for every infant and child from birth through 5 years of age with hearing loss.

 
a. Written description of computerized system

b. Printouts and reports of screening, evaluation, and intervention data.

 
6.2 Policies and procedures.  Each state will have written policies and procedures regarding operation of the EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System.

 
a. Documentation of policies and procedures manual.

 
6.3 Privacy and confidentiality.  Each state will develop policies, procedures, and informed consent requirements regarding privacy and confidentiality of data in the EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System.

 
a. Documentation of policy and procedures on informed consent requirements.

 
6.4 Include all births. Each state will ensure that all live births in the state are included in the state EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System by matching with the states birth certificates registry as allowed by state policy.

 
a. Number of live-born infants.

b. Documentation of Number and percent of matches with vital records.

c. Number and percent of infants lost to follow-up.

 
6.5 Risk factors for hearing loss. The state EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System will ascertain risk factors for hearing loss for every infant by linkage with other state data systems, such as hospital records, birth certificates, birth defects, metabolic screening, immunizations, etc.

 
a. Number and percent of infants with risk factors.

b. Number and type of risk factors for each infant.

 
6.6 Newborn hearing screening results.  The state EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System will capture all hearing screening results at birthing hospital within a week after discharge or transfer.

 
a. Report on number and percent of infants screened that includes results for each ear, technology used, and age at screening.

 
6.7 Reporting mechanism for health care providers.  Each state will provide a mechanism for hospitals, audiologists and other health care providers to report hearing screening results, evaluations and interventions.

 
a. Number of health care providers that have protocols for reporting hearing screening results, evaluations and interventions.

b. Number of health care providers reporting hearing screening results to the state.

 
6.8 Identifying children who need screening and follow-up.  The state EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System will be able to identify, on a [weekly] basis, all infants and children who need initial hearing screening, repeat testing, evaluation, follow-up, or intervention.

 
a.  Number and percent of infants and children needing follow-up who:

-were referred for second screening
-missed screening
- need a repeat screening
-were referred for diagnostics
- were referred for early intervention

b. Number and percent of infants and children who received follow-up.

 
6.9 Access to information.  The state EHDI Tracking and Surveillance System will allow case managers and authorized health care providers to access relevant information about infants and children.

 
a. Written plan to allow case managers and authorized health-care providers to access relevant information.