17th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 18-20, 2018 • Denver, CO

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  |  Teleaudiology: Lessons Learned Setting Up a Teleaudiology Infrastructure in a Facility Not Affiliated with a Medical Center

Teleaudiology: Lessons Learned Setting Up a Teleaudiology Infrastructure in a Facility Not Affiliated with a Medical Center

Purpose: To identify how to successfully implement teleaudiology to increase access to diagnostic pediatric audiology services for children and families residing in South Dakota. Only four pediatric audiology facilities in South Dakota have reported having the equipment necessary for comprehensive pediatric audiology diagnostic testing. All locations are located in the southeastern portion of the state. The purpose of this work aimed to implement teleaudiology infrastructure throughout South Dakota while overcoming challenges with reimbursement and access for providers not affiliated with a medical center. Method: The project conducted a needs analysis and selected two spoke sites in central South Dakota. Bill Campbell from Superior Hearing in Canada provided guidance and evaluation of the teleaudiology structure and organization. The University of South Dakota will be piloting the infrastructure in Spring 2018 with the infrastructure opening to all pediatric audiologists in South Dakota Fall 2018. A focus groups were held with parents from South Dakota to identify, from a parent’s perspective, barriers experienced and recommendations for helping families access the diagnostic pediatric audiology appointment(s). Results: The primary information learned was the numerous opportunities for growth when setting up teleaudiolgy infrastructure in a facility not affiliated with a medical center. Because the University of South Dakota created the framework, contracts were possible with each of the major health systems in the state, though this was not without challenges related to credentialing, payment, and documentation. Conclusion: Loss-to-follow-up is major issue in the State of South Dakota. The implementation of teleaudiology throughout the state will help increase access for parents to the limited amount of pediatric audiology centers in the state. Because the efforts were set-up by a non-medical center, the spoke sites will be accessible from any audiologist throughout the state.

• Identify how to increase access to diagnostic pediatric audiology services in South Dakota.
• Identify how to overcome barriers associated with creating and implementing teleaudiology infrastructure.
• Identify, from a parent’s perspective, how to overcome barriers to diagnostic audiology appointments for children to reduce loss-to-follow-up.

Presentation:
15805_7973MeganWegher.pdf

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference

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Presenters/Authors

Megan Wegher (), University of South Dakota, megan.wegher@usd.edu;
Megan Wegher is an Audiology (Au.D.) student at the University of South Dakota, where she also received her B.S. in communication sciences and disorders. Megan’s research interests include the diagnosis and intervention of children with hearing loss. Most recently, she has been involved in newborn hearing screening training programs within the well-baby and NICU nurseries in South Dakota. Megan is currently working as a graduate researcher on a grant awarded from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

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Jessica Messersmith (), University of South Dakota, Jessica.Messersmith@usd.edu;
Jessica J. Messersmith is the Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, Professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, and the Faculty Athletics Representative for the University of South Dakota. Her research focuses on clinical practices that hinder or improve outcomes of pediatric patients in the audiology clinic with a specific focus on cochlear implants and infant hearing detection and intervention. Through her clinical, research, and teaching duties she continually strives to improve access to care for pediatric patients in underserved, rural, and impoverished areas.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - Receives Salary for Employment from University of South Dakota.   Receives Grants for Other activities from South Dakota Department of Health EHDI Program.   Receives Grants for Other activities from South Dakota Department of Health EHDI Program.  

Nonfinancial - Has a Professional relationship for Board membership.   Has a Professional relationship for Board membership.   Has a Professional relationship for Board membership.   Has a Professional relationship for Board membership.  

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