Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening Programs

(a)Each health care facility shall establish a universal newborn hearing screening program which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1)in advance of any hearing screening testing, providing to the newborn's or infant's parent(s), information concerning the nature of the screening procedure, applicable costs of the screening procedure (including information concerning insurance coverage and co-payment obligations), the potential risk and effects of hearing loss, and the benefits of early detection and intervention; COL 110609 CH. 4 UNIVERSAL NEWBORN H EARING SCREENING AND INTERVENTION ACT (UNHSIA) OF 2004

(2)providing a hearing screening test for every newborn born in the health care facility for identification of hearing loss, regardless of whether or not the newborn has known risk factors suggesting hearing loss;

(3)developing screening protocols and select screening method(s) designed to detect newborns and infants with a significant hearing loss, as recommended by professional health and medical organizations;

(4)providing for appropriate training and monitoring of the performance of individuals responsible for performing hearing screening tests who shall be trained properly in:

(i)the performance of the tests;

(ii)the risks of the tests, including psychological stress for the parent(s);

(iii)infection control practices; and

(iv)the general care and handling of newborns and infants in hospital settings.

(5)performing the hearing testing prior to the newborn's discharge; if the newborn is expected to remain in the health care facility for a prolonged period, testing shall be performed prior to the date on which he or she attains the age of three

(3)months;

(6)developing and implementing procedures for documenting the results of all hearing screening tests;

(7)informing the newborn=s or infant=s parents and primary care physician of the results of the hearing screening test, or if the newborn or infant was not successfully tested. Whenever possible, such notification shall occur prior to discharge; if this is not possible, notification shall occur no later than ten

(10)days following the date of testing. Notification shall include information regarding appropriate follow-up for a screening failure or a missed screening, and referral information for confirmatory testing. If a hearing screening test indicates the possibility of a significant hearing loss, the health care facility shall ensure that the physician, or other persons attending the newborn or infant, is made aware of the community resources available for confirmatory testing and process of referral to early intervention services; and COL 110609 CH. 4 UNIVERSAL NEWBORN H EARING SCREENING AND INTERVENTION ACT (UNHSIA) OF 2004

(8)collecting performance data specified and recommended by the Center for Disease Control, Early Detection and Intervention Program Guidance Manual to insure that each health care facility is in compliance with reporting:

(i)the number of newborns born in the hospital;

(ii)the number of newborns and infants recommended for diagnostic audiological evaluation;

(iii)the number of newborns screened on birth admission;

(iv)the number of newborns who passed the birth admission screening, if administered;

(v)the number of newborns who did not pass the birth admission screening, if administered;

(vi)the number of newborns recommended for monitoring, intervention, and follow-up care;

(vii)the number of newborns and infants who return for follow-up rescreening;

(viii)the number of newborns and infants who pass the follow-up rescreening; and

(ix)National Testing Performance Standards as adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

(b)The Department of Public Health & Social Services shall exercise oversight responsibility for health care facilities, including establishing a performance data set and reviewing performance data collected pursuant thereto by each health care facility.