| Title: |
'Audiologist Regional Coordinators – Making the Difference' |
| Track: |
1-EHDI Program Enhancement
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| Audience: |
Primary Audience:
State Health Department
Secondary Audience:
Hospital/Birthing Center<
Tertiary Audeince:
Medical Provider
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| Keyword(s): |
Audiology Regional Coordinator, Follow-up |
| Learning Objectives: |
1. Understand the history/development of the Audiologist Regional Coordinators (ARC) program
2. Explain the role of ARC
3. Identify challenges in ARC program implementation, both at the organizational level and at the hospital level |
Abstract: |
Colorado has rural and frontier areas. Many hospitals do not have audiologists on staff or even in close proximity to manage or provide follow-up for newborn hearing screening programs. Out of 56 birthing hospitals, only six currently have audiologists on staff. Data analysis has demonstrated that screen rates, refer rates, rescreen rates and follow through into diagnostic services are significantly improved when a hospital has an audiologist involved with the newborn hearing screening program.
The Audiology Regional Coordinator (ARC) positions were founded in Colorado initially to provide technical assistance to local health departments for the purchase of hearing aids for children. As the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program at the state and local level moved away from direct service, the ARC’s were positioned to move toward technical assistance for hospital screening programs. Every hospital has been assigned an ARC to provide technical assistance, training, and consultation.
This presentation will provide information on the role of the ARC, funding for the positions, and case studies of how the ARC supported the local hospital. |
| Presentation(s): |
Not Available
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| Handouts: |
Not Available
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PRESENTER(S):
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Vickie Thomson - Colorado Department of Public Health & Education
Credentials: Ph.D.
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Vickie Thomson, Ph.D, is the State Audiology Consultant and Director of Newborn Screening Programs at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. She worked as a clinical audiologist for 25 years. The past 15 years have been devoted to developing comprehensive systems from newborn hearing screening through early intervention. Vickie provides technical assistance at the local, state and national level.
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Rebecca Nelson - The Children's Hospital
Credentials: Au.D.
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Rebecca Nelson, Au.D., is an audiologist at The Children's Hospital. She has served as the hospital's newborn hearing screen program coordinator for approximately 1.5 years, where she has worked to improve newborn hearing screening processes and follow-up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Rebecca is the Audiologist Regional Coordinator for seven hospitals in the Denver metro area. |
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AUTHOR(S):
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