Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
North Dakota has an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Information System (EHDIIS) capable of collecting unduplicated individual identifiable data on every occurrent birth throughout the three components of the EHDI process (screening diagnosis and early intervention). While North Dakota is not mandated for newborn hearing screening or reporting and the state does not appropriate funding for newborn hearing screening ND EHDI is fortunate to have the cooperation of statewide stakeholders who voluntarily support and promote hearing health as a standard of care. Stakeholders include but are not limited to healthcare facilities outpatient providers including audiologists early intervention (EI) and family support programs. Collaborative efforts continue to foster and enhance complete hearing care for infants and children in North Dakota (ND). Using the 2022 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hearing Screening and Follow up Survey (HSFS) data submitted by ND EHDI as a baseline 11111 infants were birthed in ND 10937 infants received a birth hearing screen 120 infants were documented as diagnosed (20 with a permanent hearing loss 8 with Transient Hearing Loss and 92 with no hearing loss). Of the 20 infants diagnosed with permanent hearing loss 13 were reported as enrolled and receiving Part C EI services 1 not eligible for EI services 3 nonresidents and do not qualify for ND EI 2 family was unresponsive to outreach and 1 did not receive EI services for other reasons. The North Dakota EHDI program continues to see progress with hearing screening diagnosis and early intervention yet there is a need for continued work. In 2022 190 children have gone undiagnosed and without confirmation of their hearing health status. An undiagnosed hearing difference may result in delays in language acquisition as well as adverse social and emotional outcomes. The ND EHDIIS project aims to achieve the purpose of Improving Timely Documentation Reporting and Analysis of Diagnostic and Intervention Data through Optimization of EHDI Surveillance Practices and Information Systems. Collaborative efforts with the ND Department of Health ND Vital Records Division ND Health Information Network ND EHDIIS vendor and ND EHDI stakeholders will support the ND EHDI program in accomplishing the following long term outcomes during the award period 1) Use of timely and complete patient level data for tracking and informed decision making 2) Increased number of infants who receive a diagnosis no later than 3 months of age 3) Increased enrollment in intervention services no later than 6 months of age for infants who are deaf or hard of hearing. The ND EHDIIS project will implement these four strategies to achieve the proposed outcomes 1) Enhance EHDIIS through system optimization 2) Engage stakeholders in the tracking and reporting processes and provide technical assistance during the reporting process 3) Maintain quality of the data and lead strategic actions for continuous program improvement through data analysis and evaluation and 4) Develop data reports and disseminate information among internal and external stakeholders.
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).
