Thursday, January 26, 2023
1/26/2023
South Carolina has made major strides in developing an effective early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) program. However, like other states, South Carolina faces the challenge to increase timeliness of diagnostic and early intervention services thereby reducing lost to follow up rates. Consistent and timely documentation of delivered services is also pertinent to achieving these outcomes. As a result, South Carolina?s EHDI program, First Sound, has been working on the development of a comprehensive information system to address this issue. The purpose of this project is to optimize tracking and surveillance processes and information systems standardize reporting, analysis, and use of timely patient-level data to ensure infants receive timely diagnostic and intervention services.Expected outcomes of this project include but are not limited to: 1) improved collaboration with audiologists and early intervention programs, 2) increased knowledge and skills of audiologists regarding reporting, 3) increased knowledge of program staff and stakeholders regarding current data issues, 4) improved accuracy, completeness and timeliness of audiology and early intervention reporting to the program and to the CDC, and 5) use of timely patient-level data to guide program strategies to increase the number of infants receiving timely services.The following strategies will be used to achieve outcomes: 1) ensuring the First Sound data system meets all functional requirements for data collection and reporting, 2) enhancing the user interface of the data system to increase reporting efficiency, 3) improving collaboration with audiology providers and early intervention programs, 4) providing training to audiologists on reporting policies, and 5) data analysis.South Carolina?s project goals are directly linked to the Healthy People 2020 focus area ENT-VSL 1: increase the proportion of newborns who are screened for hearing loss by no later than age 1 month , have audiologic evaluation no later than 3 months of age, and are enrolled in appropriate intervention services no later than 6 months of age. The same objective is expected to be included in Health People 2030.Without data systems in place and providers reporting to the data system, progress towards these outcomes cannot be measured.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
