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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Chaotic or Failure Free Performance? Levels of Reliability Applied to an EHDI System' Track: 8-Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance Audience: Primary Audience: State Health Department Secondary Audience: Hospital/Birthing Center< Tertiary Audeince: Audiologist Keyword(s): Reliability Learning Objectives: 1 - describe the characteristics of different levels of process reliability 2 - describe how levels of reliability apply to EHDI Programs Abstract: Process reliability is a method for identifying problems, which can lead to significant opportunities for improvements. The concept of process reliability has been applied to many systems - transportation, computer software, nuclear power and health care. The levels of reliability have been defined and characteristics of each level have been described. In the continuum that represents reliability, chaos is characterized by no standardized system and great individual variation in procedures. Greater levels of reliability involve a standard process, more defined, clearly understood and closely followed as the levels increase. Now is the time to apply the concept of levels of reliability to EHDI. What does it mean to have a reliable EHDI process? This conceptual framework can help decrease loss to follow-up, minimize parental confusion and frustration, and detect errors before they become failures of the system. Imagine a system operating at 80% reliability, the level commonly accepted as chaos. The author three years ago inherited an EHDI system with the best staffing level in the country but the system was not working reliably. It was not until she saw a presentation on levels of reliability that she was able to recognize the progress that had been made in improving the EHDI system for children and families. The presentation will focus on: 1 - Factors making this EHDI system chaotic. 2 - Analysis of what needed to change to increase reliability, and progress made thus far. 3 - Key contributions to a reliable EHDI system. Presentation(s): Not Available Handouts: Not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S): Kathleen Watts - Division of Public Health      Credentials: MA       Ms. Watts spent over six years working as the Director of Training and Technical Assistance at NCHAM. She is now the Progam Manager for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention for the state of North Carolina. She holds a Master's Degree in Health Education. Ms. Watts was employed in schools, hospitals, rural health clinics and private organizations before discovering her vocational passion: EHDI.   AUTHOR(S): Kathleen Watts - Division of Public Health      Credentials: MA       BIO: Ms. Watts spent over six years working as the Director of Training and Technical Assistance at NCHAM. She is now the Progam Manager for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention for the state of North Carolina. She holds a Master's Degree in Health Education. Ms. Watts was employed in schools, hospitals, rural health clinics and private organizations before discovering her vocational passion: EHDI.