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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Early Hearing Detection and Intervention in North Carolina: Factors Impacting the Time Interval from Screening to Diagnosis' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): Hearing Screening; Age of Diagnosis; Delays in Diagnosis; EHDI Program Improvement Learning Objectives: Identify factors associated with delays from screening to diagnosis in North Carolina. List changes made to reduce delays from screening to diagnosis in North Carolina. Compare improvements in North Carolina’s HearingLink data base. Abstract: Universal newborn hearing screening has dramatically reduced the age of identification for infants with congenital and early onset hearing loss. Since the implementation of newborn screening in 2000, North Carolina has made ongoing improvements and refinements to meet the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) 1-3-6 goals of screening all infants for hearing loss by 1 month of age, completing diagnostic assessment no later than 3 months, and providing appropriate intervention services no later than 6 months of age. For hearing screening, North Carolina has consistently surpassed the national average. Age of diagnosis, however, has lagged behind the national average. In 2010, Taylor et al found that those less likely to have completed evaluation by 3 months of age were non-white, from rural counties with a >20% poverty level. In an effort to improve the time interval from screening to diagnosis, the NC EHDI program has implemented several changes that have improved tracking and follow-up with pediatricians, parents and audiologists. Improvements have also been made in North Carolina’s database, HearingLink, since 2010. This presentation will report North Carolina EHDI program data from HearingLink for 2010-2012 to examine progress in meeting 1-3-6 goals, with a primary focus on the time interval from screening to diagnosis. We will examine factors that may affect these outcomes including several variables studied by Taylor et al for 2007-2009 data: race, ethnicity, income, and rural versus urban environment. Additionally, we will report data for variables not previously available including maternal age, maternal education, insurance, and gestational age. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Laura Jacobsen - Primary Presenter,Author,POC UNC      Credentials: M.D.       Laura is a pediatric resident at the University of North Carolina and completed her medical degree at the University of Florida as well as bachelors degress in Chemistry and Communication Sciences & Disorders.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Jackson Roush - Author UNC-Chapel Hill      Credentials: Ph.D.       Jackson Roush, Ph.D., is Professor and Director of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. He is also Section Head for Audiology at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities where he serves as coordinator of the Hearing and Development Clinic. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dr. Roush has been a pediatric audiologist for over 30 years. He has published and presented on a broad range of topics related to hearing loss in children, and has served on numerous EHDI-related working groups and task forces including the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Marcia Fort - Author NC DHHS      Credentials: Au.D., CCC-A       Dr. Fort is the Program Development and Evaluation Manager for the North Carolina EHDI Program. She has worked with the NC EHDI program for 12 years. She has 25 years of experience as a pediatric audiologist in hospital, private practice, ENT office, and public school settings.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Kathleen Watts - Author 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.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - Thomas Young - Author UNC      Credentials: M.D., NCPS EHDI Chapter Champion       Dr. Thomas Young is a board-certified neonatologist with WakeMed Faculty Physicians. He is also an adjunct professor of pediatrics with the UNC School of Medicine. Dr. Young earned his medical degree from the The University of Toledo and completed his residency in pediatrics at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He also completed a fellowship in neonatology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati in mathematics and graduated Cum Laude. Dr. Young is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the AAP Section on Perinatal Pediatrics, the AAP Section on Clinical Pharmacology and the North Carolina Pediatric Society. He is the former chair of the WakeMed Department of Pediatrics (2004-2005) and is serving as the NCPS Chapter Champion for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Melissa Taylor - Author Private Practice      Credentials: M.D.       Melissa Taylor completed her Pediatric Residency at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC. She completed her medical degree at Mercer University. She now works as a Pediatrician in Charlotte, NC and has been involved with the NC EHDI program doing research in early screening and detection of hearing loss and barriers to care.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.