ChimesChimesN o r t h D a k o t a E H D I Q u a r t e r l y N e w s l e t t e r

In this Issue:

People who can help 2

ND EHDI Activities 3

OZ Update 3

Training Tips

April 2006 Volume I, Issue II

Change your baby’s location to “outpatient” A reminder to all of you who are entering information into eSP. Once you have entered in the screening results, please change the child’s location to “outpatient”. This little button is located on the “Demographics” tab under “Location” andmeans a lot when it comes time to generate how well your facility is screening children! If you have specific questions regarding this topic, please contact Sue Routledge at 1-800-233-1737.

Decreasing external interference while screening (Tips from Matt Williams from Medical Technologies) • use a larger ear tip, or position probe slightly further down the ear canal (if it is sealed properly, ambient noise should not be an issue), • make sure you are not holding the probe in the baby's ear (again, if it is properly inserted with the appropriate -sized tip, it should stay in), • swaddle the baby snugly so it can't pull the probe out * If you have other training tips that have worked for you or your staff, please let us know and we’ll include them in our next issue of the Chimes.

Risk Factor DefinitionsIn it’s 2000 Position Statement, the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) has issued guidelines in determining risk factors. The full document can be viewed by logging onto: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/documents/jcihyr2000.pdf . Specific information regarding risk factors begins on page 21.

Update!! The JCIH is currently updating their position statement and will have it available later this year. A transcript of the CDC EHDI Special Topics Teleconference "An Update from the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing" is now available online at: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/ddtele.htm

How are we doing ?The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) has issued national benchmarks for states to strive for in implementing an EHDI program. In each issue of the “Chimes” we will take one benchmark and report how ND is doing. The following table includes two data sources. First is a paper survey conducted each year by Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) in ND. The second is data taken from the Oz eSP database. It is worthy to note that not all ND birthing facilities are reporting information into the Oz eSP system. Our goal is to have all birthing facilities in ND using the statewide database to record hearing screenings, assessments, and follow-up activities for each baby born in ND. (http://www.jcih.org/default.htm)

If you would like additional information related to how you are doing locally, please

contact project staff at 1-800-233-1373.

CSHS 2004 Paper Survey

2004 OZ eSP Data

2005 OZ eSP Data

JCIH National Benchmark

Births in 2004 9,408* 6,858 7,122 Screened prior to hospital discharge

8,951 (95%) 6,445 (94%) 6,607 (93%) 90-95%

Number/percent of babies referred for a 2nd stage screen

507 (5.6%) 627 (10%) 613 (9%) Less than 10%

* Number taken from Vital Records

State Performance to current JCIH standardsMeet the Staff !

Chime In !

We’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, comments, or thoughts please contact our project staff.

For a complete listing of our staff, log onto

http://www.ndcpd.org/ehdi

K Y YLA N

Project k

SoundsSoundsFirstFirstNorthNorth DakotaDakota

NDCPDNDCPDMinot State UniversityCenter of Excellence

Tel: 800.233.1737TTY / voice: 701.858.3530Fax: 701.858.3483E-mail: ndcpd@minotstateu.edu

“ To Le a d E n v i a b l e L i ve s”

EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) programs are located in states and are designed to identify infants with hearing loss by universal screening. This allows identifiedinfants to be enrolled in an early intervention program. These intervention programs are designed to help facilitate the development of visual and/or spoken language and the cognitive (thinking) skills needed to succeed academically and socially.

What is EHDI ?

Points of Interest

Project Overview

Current Statistics

Conference Highlights

National Conference

and much more

North Dakota Center forPersons with Disabilities (866)500 University Ave WMinot, ND 58707

“On the Road”

ND EHDI staff attend National EHDI ConferenceND EHDI staff and state partners attended the National EHDI Conference in Washington D.C. February 2-3rd, 2006. Over 100 topical sessions were offered in two days. For information on the Call for Abstracts and other 2006 National EHDI Conference information, please visit http://www.nakamotogroup.com/ehdi/ .

ND EHDI staff attend MN EHDI ConferenceND EHDI staff and state partners attended the MN EHDI Conference in Minneapolis, MN April 3-4, 2006. Many topical sessions were offered in two days, but more importantly border state contacts have been made. These contacts have spurred conversation among bordering state EHDI teams to develop data sharing and follow-up capabilities addressing border baby issues. We will continue to keep you posted on these developing relationships.

Week of the Young ChildND EHDI staff participated in local events for the Week of the Young Child. A celebration took place on Saturday, April 1st at Dakota Square in Minot. Many area programs and business’ associated with young children set up booths and provided activities. ND EHDI staff handed out promotional items to families and enjoyed a day of fun.

OZ UpdateSome of you may be wondering what OZ is. OZ Systems is the name of a company in Dallas, TX who has developed a web-based software system called eSP to track hearing screening, assessment, and intervention activities. The ND EHDI program contracts with OZ to provide each birthing facility, select audiologists, and select early intervention providers access to the system. The system can be accessed via the internet at www.ndhearingscreening.com, website registration required .

For more information about OZ, log onto http://www.oz-systems.com

People Who Can Help

We have a baby who did not pass their birth screening - now what? The Right Track (RT) program is funded through the Department of Human Services to provide parent education and necessary referrals to supporting programs. Their mission is to see every baby born in ND and provide a free developmental screening. The program is completely voluntary. The Right Track program has agreed to support ND EHDI efforts by encouraging families to return for any necessary hearing screening follow-up. We urge all hospital staff to utilize your local Right Track staff for any follow-up efforts. We would also like to thank those staff who already have a close relationship with their local RT program. For a list of local Right Track providers, please see the contact information below:

Williston (Divide, McKenzie, Williams) Rose Schaefer 701-774-3427

Minot (Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Ward) Mary Lou Holliday 701-857-8663 Devils Lake (Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner) Denise Brandvold 701-665-2200

Grand Forks (Grand forks, Nelson, Pembina, Walsh) Carol Brakel 701-795-3000

Fargo (Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Traill) Mari Quittschreiber 701-298-4612

Jamestown (Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman, Wells) Linda Heinrich 701-253-6380

Bismarck (Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux) Lori Sandal 701-328-8794

Dickinson (Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark) Patty Bell 701-764-6334

We have a baby who did not pass their birth screening or their follow-up screening - now what? The North Dakota School for the Deaf Parent Infant Program (PIP) is a home-based program that provides parent education to families of children birth to three with diagnosed hearing loss. As part of their outreach efforts, PIP has agreed to assist EHDI efforts by providing follow-up to families who’s infant has not passed two phases of hearing screenings. PIP coordinators can contact families before a full audiological exam to answer any specific questions about the upcoming test, provide resources to the family, attend the audiological exam with the family (when available), and talk “next steps” in the event a hearing loss is diagnosed. There are four regional PIP coordinators in ND. Please see below for specific contact information:

Northwest Region Holly Pedersen 701-858-3357

Northeast Region Carol Lybeck 701-662-9000

Southwest Region Tami Iszler 701-328-3987

Southeast Region Linda Ehlers 701-239-7116

ND EHDI ActivitiesHRSA ReviewThe Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was involved with grant staff in providing a review and technical assistance to our EHDI Staff. Together we selected two Performance Measures and two Data Development Measures to further analyze. Data was gathered related to the Performance Measures and intensive discussions were held. Based on these discussions, an Action Plan has been written and will be followed-up on by HRSA.

Sneak PeakOur next issue will : • provide an update on ND EHDI activities • highlight the next JCIH National Benchmark “Number/percent of babies who completed a 2nd stage screen”

Advisory Group updateOur Advisory Group met in Bismarck February 10th, 2006. Agenda items included a summary of our most recent grant review by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); training materials for hospitals, Right Track staff, and PIP Coordinators in the form of Protocol Reference Guides; a monitoring tool called the HEAR document; and a statewide eSP user list. People in attendance included Brady Ness, David Peske, Mackensie Brandt, Theresa Monicken, Deb Balsdon, Sue Burns, Bryce Fifield, Kim Witt, Wendy Thomas, Steve Peterson, Sue Routledge, Kathy Lee, Patty Denn, and Kim Hill.

Protocol Quick ReferenceWe are currently working on training materials for hospital staff, Right Track providers, and PIP coordinators called Protocol Reference Guides. These were developed to provide a more detailed description of the EHDI Protocol. Grant staff are currently gathering feedback from interested parties . If you would like to see a draft of the guides or provide us feedback, please do not hesitate to call or email.

Right Track trainingOn March 14th, 2006 grant staff had the opportunity to talk with Early Intervention and Right Track staff across the state about program roles and expectations. Grant staff were able to walk through the EHDI Protocol, talk with several programs about how systems of referrals happen in their community, and field questions about grant activities and scope. Grant staff plan to attend another meeting like this in the future. Thanks to all who participated in the discussion and for providing your feedback!