EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021
(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)
Nebraska Newborn Hearing Hospital Champion Program
For parents whose babies refer on the newborn hearing screening, there is an anxiety-inducing gap between initial screening and identification; many say it seems like an eternity when waiting for their baby’s next appointment. Medical professionals strive to do what is best, without realizing that certain words like "failed" can increase anxiety. Many parents have stated that newborn hearing screening results can lead to worry. Therefore, NE-EHDI and NE Hands & Voices – Guide By Your Side (GBYS) partnered with Nebraska families to develop a video incorporating new training curriculum for the newborn nursery staff. To incentivize hospitals to watch the video and update their protocols, NE-EHDI launched the Newborn Hearing Hospital Champion Program in December 2019. This campaign aligns with two previous Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NE DHHS) Safe Babies Campaigns. Many Nebraska hospitals have already been recognized as champions in Safe Sleep and Abusive Head Trauma Prevention. The goal of the Nebraska Newborn Hearing Hospital Champion Campaign is to provide evidence-based education to birthing hospital staff who work directly with families and recognize Nebraska birth hospitals that incorporate the changes into their policies and procedures. The success of meeting the 1-3-6 benchmarks depends on professionals being well trained on educating parents about the importance of early hearing detection and intervention to protect babies from missing out on the most critical period in early childhood for speech and language development. To date, three hospitals have become champions, and 18 more have taken the pledge. This poster will outline the five steps to becoming a champion: 1) Take the Pledge; 2) Develop/update current policies; 3) Develop/update Education Plan; 4) Provide patient/client education; and 5) Complete Internal Audits annually. It will also highlight the benefits of using scripts and sensitive language to educate families about timely follow up.
- Learn about Nebraska Newborn Hearing Hospital Champion Program
- Understand Parent Perspective about receiving newborn hearing screening results
- Recognize the importance of partnering with birth facilities to create positive outcomes for families
Poster:
23278_13541MeLissaButler.pdf
Presenter: MeLissa Butler
MeLissa Butler has been with the Nebraska Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program since April, 2011, and serves as Community Health Educator Senior. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Technical Studies from Bellevue University. MeLissa’s training includes Evidence Based Public Health-A Course in Chronic Disease Prevention; American Sign Language; Genetics and Hearing Loss for EHDI Professionals; ASTra Family Support training; and she is a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.