Related Experiment Videos
Controlling the quality of universal neonatal hearing screens
1Audiology Department, Whipps Cross Hospital, Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 1NR, UK.
Insights
A national program for universal neonatal hearing screening is recommended to replace current infant screening methods. Routine monitoring of these programs is crucial for identifying and addressing implementation issues to improve outcomes for congenital hearing impairment detection.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Health Technology Assessment
Background:
- Congenital hearing impairment affects newborns, necessitating effective screening methods.
- Current health visitor distraction screening occurs later in infancy.
- A Health Technology Assessment Programme review recommended a shift in screening strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a universal neonatal hearing screening program.
- To identify challenges and successes in a real-world screening setting.
- To inform the development of national neonatal hearing screening programs.
Main Methods:
- An audit of a universal neonatal hearing screening program at Whipps Cross Hospital over two years (January 1996 onwards).
- Monitoring of screening processes and outcomes against defined targets.
- Analysis of implementation problems and interventions.
Main Results:
- The audit identified specific implementation challenges within the neonatal hearing screening program.
- Routine monitoring facilitated the detection of problems and allowed for remedial actions.
- Established targets provided a framework for evaluating screening effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Universal neonatal hearing screening is a viable alternative to later infant screening.
- Continuous monitoring and auditing are essential for the successful implementation of neonatal hearing screening programs.
- Lessons learned from this audit should inform the planning of new UK-wide programs.
Abstract:
The Health Technology Assessment Programme has recently reviewed the role of neonatal screening in the detection of congenital hearing impairment. The review recommends that the health visitors distraction screen, currently implemented in the second half of infancy, should be replaced by a national programme based around universal neonatal hearing screening. Such a programme has been implemented as a routine and established service in Whipps Cross Hospital in the East London district of Waltham Forest. This programme has reinforced the need to routinely monitor the screen processes and outcomes. The Whipps Cross audit undertaken over a 2 y period from January 1996 is detailed, as are the targets employed for evaluating the processes. The monitoring flagged up implementation problems, and allowed remedial intervention. Monitoring should be built into all the universal neonatal hearing programmes currently being planned in the UK.