Remedies to EHDI Remedies to EHDI Challenges in the Last Challenges in the Last

Frontier-AlaskaFrontier-AlaskaMargaret Lanier Kossler, MPH,CHESMargaret Lanier Kossler, MPH,CHES

EHDI Program ManagerEHDI Program Manager

2001-20052001-2005

Goals & AccomplishmentsGoals & AccomplishmentsHRSA UNHS Grant 2000-2005HRSA UNHS Grant 2000-2005

Text Goal Year 5

Advisory Committee

Establish Active

Screen by 1 Month

50% App. 80%

Aud. Eval. By 3 Months

All Referrals App. 20%

Enroll into E/I by 6 Months

All Diagnosed App. 40%

GoalsGoalsHRSA UNHS Grant 2005-2008HRSA UNHS Grant 2005-2008

Text Goal

Advisory Committee Active

Screen by 1 Month 100%

Decrease Lost to F/U after Screening

All referrals

Aud. Eval by 3 Months All referrals

Enroll into E/I by 6 Mos. All diagnosed

Family Support Services Enhance

EHDI Surveillance System Established

AK EHDI program sustainability

Establish

““11”-”-3-6- Model 2005-20083-6- Model 2005-2008

• Goal—Screen 100% of newborns by 1 month of age.

• Challenge 1: High staff turnover in remote (hub) community birthing hospitals.

Continue tech. assistance from EHDI program staff

Disseminate “Sound Beginnings” video w/competency checklist for new staff

Form relationships with facilities delivering babies outside of hospitals

Additional ChallengesAdditional Challenges

• Challenge 2: Lack of knowledge regarding universal newborn hearing screening.

Through annual media campaigns, provide continuing education regarding the importance of UNHS to general public and health care providers delivering babies in rural communities.

Additional ChallengesAdditional Challenges

• Challenge 3: Remote communities unable to perform screening due to lack of equipment.

Placement of screeners in public health center.

Placement of OAE screeners in Early Head Start programs through implementation of the ECHO Project.

Barrow (ANMC)

Fairbanks

Juneau

Sitka

Cordova/Valdez/Wasilla/KodiakAnchorage

(Northern Hearing)Soldotna

Dillingham

Bethel

Nome

Kotzebue – (ANMC)

1-”1-”33”-6 Model 2005-2008”-6 Model 2005-2008

• Goal—Ensure all newborns who fail hearing screening receive audiological evaluation by 3 months of age.

• Challenge 1: Limited number of pediatric audiologist and locations where BAERs can be performed.

Placement of screeners in PH centers Adequate reimbursement for audiological

diagnostic services in AK Assist audiologists to establish nationally

recognized CPT code Explore telemedicine option

Additional ChallengesAdditional Challenges

• Challenge 2: Lost to Follow-up

Case reviews at advisory committee meetings

Continual education of pediatric primary care providers and CHA/Ps

Collaborate with hospitals and organizations

EHCO Project implementation statewide

Database implementation statewide

EI/ILP Locations Across the StateEI/ILP Locations Across the State

1-3-”1-3-”66” Model 2005-2008” Model 2005-2008

• Goal-- Children diagnosed with hearing loss are referred and enrolled into appropriate early intervention services, linked to medical homes, and receive treatment services by 6 months of age.

• Challenge 1:Delay in linkage to early intervention services from diagnosis

Case review presentations Provider education ECHO Project implementation Database implementation Parent Navigator Family Workshop

Additional GoalAdditional Goal

• Establish a long-term fiscal and programmatic plan to ensure EHDI program permanence in the Dept of Health & Social Services

• Challenge: No legislation requiring statewide UNHS.

Identify alternative funding sources Establish subcommittee Work with advocacy groups

Alaska EHDI ProgramAlaska EHDI Program

Margaret Lanier Kossler, MPH,CHESMargaret Lanier Kossler, MPH,CHESState of Alaska, DHSS, DPHState of Alaska, DHSS, DPH

4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg L4501 Business Park Blvd, Bldg LAnchorage, AK 99503Anchorage, AK 99503

907-269-3466907-269-3466Margaret_lanier@health.state.ak.usMargaret_lanier@health.state.ak.us

Hearing Alaska’s Future through…Hearing Alaska’s Future through…Alaska’s ChildrenAlaska’s Children