title: Effects of policy changes to universal newborn hearing screening follow-up in a university clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of policy changes on loss to follow-up rates and the ability to achieve the goals of the American Academy of Pediatrics Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Screening (2007) for diagnosis of hearing loss by 3 months, amplification within 1 month of diagnosis, and start of intervention by 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  From the files of 111 infants, data were extracted on the following: date of birth, birth hospital, hometown, parents' ages, ethnicity, nursery status, medical history, age at initial evaluation and diagnosis, results of evaluation(s), and age at hearing aid fitting and start of early intervention. Data were compared with previously published data from the clinic (Krishnan, 2009).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Policy changes led to a decrease in loss to follow-up and a younger age at diagnosis of hearing loss. Infants identified with hearing loss were fit with amplification at younger ages but not within 1 month of diagnosis of hearing loss. Policy changes had positive outcomes on loss to follow-up and age of diagnosis and amplification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Challenges remain in meeting the goals of amplification within 1 month of diagnosis and documenting the start of early intervention. Improved communication between and education of all parties involved in the care of infants is needed.
authors.forename: Lata A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Hyfte
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D000367:Age Factors; D006291:Health Policy; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors