PROJECT ABSTRACT Project Title: Improving Timely Documentation, Reporting, and Analysis of Diagnostic and Intervention Data through Optimization of EHDI Surveillance Practices and Information Systems CDC-RFA-DD20-2006Project Period: 4 years (7/1/2020 ? 6/30/2024)Organization Name: Minnesota Department of Health Address: 601 Robert St N, St. Paul, MN 55164 Contact Person: Kirsten Coverstone, AuD Phone Number: 651-201-5223 FAX: 651-201-6285E-Mail Address: Kirsten.coverstone@state.mn.us Web Site Address: www.improveehdi.org/mnEarly Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) is a state and national initiative to identify children with hearing loss and provide appropriate connections for follow-up services. Loss to follow-up and/or documentation can occur at each stage of the screening, diagnosis, and early intervention process. The purpose of this collaborative agreement is to support the State of Minnesota to strengthen our EHDI information system (EHDI-IS) capacity to document receipt of essential screening, recommended testing, follow-up, and intervention services; strengthen collaboration and data exchange; standardize reporting, analysis and use of timely patient-level data to ensure infants receive timely services. Four strategies will be utilized: 1) Optimization of jurisdictional EHDI tracking and surveillance process and information systems, 2) Engagement of stakeholders in follow-up and tracking reporting, 3) Standardized reporting, data analysis, and use of timely patient-level data to ensure infants receive timely diagnostic and intervention services and 4) Data submission and dissemination. This collaborative agreement aligns with the CDC EHDI-IS Functional Standards and addresses the ?Healthy People 2030? focus area(s) of Hearing and other Sensory or Communication Disorders. Improvements to this system will facilitate and document hearing screening follow-up, diagnosis and connection to services for long-term follow-up, thus improving
outcomes for Minnesota infants with hearing loss. It will also help in identifying areas in need of additional services and program resources. In addition, continued collaboration with parents, care providers, other health department and state partners, border-states, and the CDC in program activities to meet these goals and address the needs of the Newborn Screening EHDI program.The expected outcomes include: 1) Use of timely and complete patient-level data for tracking and to inform 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 infant who are deaf or hard of hearing.
