Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Information System (EHDI-IS) Functional Standards

What to know

This document summarizes recommendations made by the 2015 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Information System (EHDI-IS) Functional Standard Working Group (FSWG), on the technical function requirements for a complete jurisdictional EHDI-IS. The FSWG consisted of members of the CDC EHDI team and program managers/data system experts from nine jurisdictions. These Standards were initially drafted by CDC EHDI program staff and then discussed and reviewed with the FSWG through bi-weekly conference calls. Intended users of these standards include state and territorial EHDI program managers, EHDI-IS developers/vendors, and system evaluators.

Group working together on a data system

EHDI-IS functional standards

This document is divided into three main sections:

  1. General Considerations delineates key background realities under which the Functional Standards should be interpreted and implemented.
  2. Programmatic Goals lays out the foundational goals that these Functional Standards are intended to address.
  3. Functional Standards by Programmatic Goal describes specific standards that address each of the Programmatic Goals.

Graphical Version‎

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General considerations

  • These functional standards are intended to identify the operational, programmatic, and technical criteria that all jurisdictional EHDI programs should implement during the process of developing, using, and evaluating an EHDI Information System (EHDI-IS).
  • The Functional Standards are not intended to provide specifications on how those functions are supposed to be implemented.
  • In some cases, current state law(s) or policies may preempt full implementation of these standards. In these instances, an unmet standard may serve as a suggestion for possible future revisions.

Programmatic goals

  • Goal 1: Document unduplicated, individually identifiable data on the delivery of newborn hearing screening services for all infants born in the jurisdiction.
  • Goal 2: Support tracking and documentation of the delivery of follow-up services for every infant/child who did not receive, complete or pass the newborn hearing screening.
  • Goal 3: Document all cases of hearing loss, including congenital, late-onset, progressive, and acquired cases for infants/children <3 years old.
  • Goal 4: Document the enrollment status, delivery and outcome of early intervention services for infants and children <3 years old with hearing loss.
  • Goal 5: Maintain data quality (accurate, complete, timely data) of individual newborn hearing screening, follow-up screening and diagnosis, early intervention and demographic information in the EHDI-IS.
  • Goal 6: Preserve the integrity, security, availability, and privacy of all personally-identifiable health and demographic data in the EHDI-IS.
  • Goal 7: Enable evaluation and data analysis activities.
  • Goal 8: Support dissemination of EHDI information to authorized stakeholders.