2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/18/2024 | 2:25 PM - 2:50 PM | Benchmarking Inpatient Programs to Improve Audiology Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | Capitol 7
Benchmarking Inpatient Programs to Improve Audiology Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program benchmarks of screening for hearing loss by 1-month, diagnostic testing by 3-months, and enrollment in intervention no later than 6-months of age are well established (also known as 1-3-6) and are endorsed by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH). Programs meeting 1-3-6 guidelines are encouraged by JCIH to strive towards a timeline of 1-2-3. While this may be attainable in the outpatient setting, these benchmarks may not be realistic for infants receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) due to a variety of factors, including extreme prematurity and medical instability. Current guidelines for the inpatient population from the JCIH include hearing screening prior to hospital discharge, but the guidelines do not address recommendations when the infant’s inpatient stay exceeds 3 months of age.
In an effort to evaluate and improve the care provided for infants in the NICU at Children’s Hospital Colorado, benchmarking of 12 pediatric medical centers across the country was completed in 2022-2023. This included a review of the following: Inpatient providers/program processes, diagnostic services provided, amplification protocols, referral to early intervention services upon discharge, and communication/follow-up recommendations with the medical team. This presentation will explore the quality improvements made to the inpatient audiology program at Children’s Hospital Colorado based on the findings from the benchmarking survey, including inpatient amplification fittings, communication and education with medical teams, and connections with home intervention programs upon discharge. We anticipate this information will be helpful to other newborn hearing screening programs and other providers serving the NICU population.
- The participant will be able to identify barriers to the 1-3-6 guidelines for the NICU population.
- The participant will be able to identify key attributes of inpatient audiology programs across the country.
- The participant will be able to list at least two areas of quality and process improvements that can be made to better serve the inpatient population.
Presentation:
3478265_16201BaileyYeager.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
3478265_16201Bailey Yeager.doc
Presenters/Authors
Bailey Yeager
(Primary Presenter), Children's Hospital Colorado , bailey.yeager@childrenscolorado.org;
Bailey Yeager joined the Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing at Children’s Hospital Colorado as an Audiologist in January 2020. She has 6 years of experience as an audiologist specializing in pediatric diagnostic evaluations and management and has her Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification. Bailey participates as audiology team lead for the inpatient program at Children’s Hospital Colorado, and has been actively working on quality improvement projects and clinical practice guidelines. Bailey received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Purdue University in 2017. She enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and playing with her pup Rosie.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Children's Hospital Colorado.
Nature: None.
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with Children's Hospital Colorado.
Nature: None.
Christina Rasmussen
(Co-Presenter), Children's Hospital Colorado, christina.rasmussen@childrenscolorado.org;
Christina Rasmussen joined the Bill Daniels Center for Children's Hearing at Children's Hospital Colorado as an Audiologist in June 2016. She has 7 years of experience as an audiologist specializing in pediatric diagnostic evaluations and management, and has her Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification. Christina participates as audiology team lead for the inpatient program at Children's Hospital Colorado and has been actively working on quality improvement projects and clinical practice guidelines. Christina received her Doctor of Audiology degree from University of Washington in 2016. She enjoys hiking, running, reading, and going on adventures with her two-year-old son and husband.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.