007.13.95 Ark. Code R. 001

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 007.13.95-001 - Rules Pertaining to the Screening of Newborn Infants for risk Factors Associated with Hearing Loss

SECTION I. AUTHORITY. These Rules and Regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred by Act 1096 of 1993, the same being Arkansas Code Annotated 20-15-1101, et. seq.

SECTION II. PURPOSE. Uncorrected hearing loss during the critical language-learning period can severely limit a child's capability for developing a complete and effective communication system. Through early identification and follow-up, children born with hearing impairments can develop effective communication systems. This, in turn, improves their quali ty of 11 f e and 1ncreases thei r potenti al to become producti ve citizens. These Rules and Regulations provide a method to assure that all newborns are screened for risk factors associated with hearing loss.

SECTION III. RESPONSIBILITY. A paper screen ft)r risk indicators associated with hearing loss will be completed for every newborn before discharge from the hospital or birthing site as follows.

A.Medical Facilities. In all cases where the birth of an infant occurs in a medical facility licensed by the Board of Health, it shall be the responsibility of the governing body and medical staff of that facility to adopt and enforce policies and procedure that ensure that screenings for risk factors associated with hearing loss are conducted and processed in accordance with these rules and regulations.

B.Birth Attendants. In cases where the birth occurs outside a licensed medical facility, it shall be the responsibility of the birth attendant to ensure that a screening for risk factors associated with hearing loss is conducted and submitted.

C.The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

1. The ADH shall be responsible for the provision of hearing impairment at-risk questionnaires and instructions for completion of the questionnaires.

2. The ADH wi 11 create a Heari ng Impa1rment Regi stry to 1dentify newborn infants at-risk for hearing impairment, Infants with hearing impairment and infants at-risk for developing a progressive hearing impairment.

3. The ADH will report screening results to parents, guardians and physicians within a time period which would allow early Identification and appropriate Intervention.

4. The ADH will develop appropriate written materials regarding hearing Impairment and will provide those to hospitals, birthing centers and lay midwives for their use in the program.

SECTION IV. QUESTIONNAIRE COLLECTION AND SUBMISSION. The hearing impairment at-risk questionnaires must be completed and submitted as described below.

A.Collection of Questionnaires.

1. For all infants born In medical facilities, the questionnaire shall be completed at the time of discharge from the facility.

2. Birth attendants shall complete the hearing impairment at-risk questionnaire within 72 hours of the birth of the Infant.

B.Submission of Questionnaires. Questionnaires shall be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health, Office of Hearing, Speech and Vision Services on a monthly basis. The submitter is responsible for supplying adequate Identifying Information on the questionnaire to be used for tracking infants with and without risk characteristics.

C. Forms. The county health units will not supply these forms. Questionnaires may be obtained by writing to:

Arkansas Department of Health

Office of Hearing, Speech and Vision Services

Infant Hearing Program

4815 West Markham Street. Slot 20

Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-3867

D.Unusable Questionnaires. Inadequate, Incomplete or otherwise unusable qut3t1:?nna1res shall be reported to the submitter. The submitter shall be responsible for assuring recollection and resubmission within seven days of notification.

SECTION V. DETERMINATION OF RISK STATUS. The Arkansas Department of Health shall define the risk criteria or characteristics associated with hearing loss. These criteria shall be determined based on current state-of-the-art standards and practices.

SECTION VI. ARKANSAS DEPARTXENT OF HEALTH'S ROLE IN TREATMENT AND MONITORING.

A. Hearing Impairment Registry. All questionnaires received by the Office shall be entered Into the Registry. Infants at risk for hearing loss will be reported to their physicians and parents after data entry.

B. Listing of Testing Facilities.

1. The Arkansas Department of Health shall maintain a 11st of facilities which screen Infants for hearing loss and shall make the names of these fad 111:1 es l;nown to attending physicfans of Infants with associated risk factors for hearing impairment.

2. The Arkansas Department of Health shall also maintain test results in the hearing impairment registry of infants who receive follow-up testing.

SECTION VII. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of these Rules and Regulations, or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held Invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these Rules and Regulations which give effect without the Invalid provisions or applications, and to this end the provisions hereto are declared to be severable.

SECTION VIII. REPEAL. All regulations and parts of regulations in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

007.13.95 Ark. Code R. 001

3/3/1995