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Mazlan R, Raman K, Abdullah A. A 10-year retrospective analysis of newborn hearing screening in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43163-022-00331-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) has been widely adopted worldwide as a standard of care because it enables the detection of congenital hearing loss early in life. Therefore, the concepts of regular measurement of performance using pre-determined quality measures are recommended for continuous improvement of the program. This study aimed to evaluate and update the performance of a UNHS program by measuring the recommended quality measures between 2010 and 2019. A retrospective study analyzing data of 50569 babies screened between January 2010 and December 2019 was performed. The pre-determined quality measures of coverage rate, initial referral rate, return to follow-up rate, diagnosis rate, and age at diagnosis were measured.
Results
The average coverage rate was 95.5%, with all years achieving the recommended benchmark of ≥ 95% except 2014 (91.8%) and 2019 (89.5%). Generally, the initial referral rate (10%) exceeded the benchmark of ≤ 4%. The program only managed to reach the benchmark for initial referral rate in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Both quality indicators for return to follow-up and diagnosis rates also did not meet the ≥ 95% and ≥ 90% standards, respectively. The return to follow-up ranged from 62 to 72.7%, while the average diagnosis rate was 73.4% (60–100%). One hundred thirty-seven infants were diagnosed with hearing loss at a median age of 3.8 months (± 0.4 months), resulting in a prevalence of 0.27%.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrated an excellent coverage rate but unsatisfactory performance for other quality indicators. Hence, the current program needs to be revisited to remain relevant and effective.
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Mackey AR, Bussé AML, Del Vecchio V, Mäki-Torkko E, Uhlén IM. Protocol and programme factors associated with referral and loss to follow-up from newborn hearing screening: a systematic review. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:473. [PMID: 35932008 PMCID: PMC9354382 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03218-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An effective newborn hearing screening programme has low referral rate and low loss to follow-up (LTFU) rate after referral from initial screening. This systematic review identified studies evaluating the effect of protocol and programme factors on these two outcomes, including the screening method used and the infant group. Methods Five databases were searched (latest: April 2021). Included studies reported original data from newborn hearing screening and described the target outcomes against a protocol or programme level factor. Studies were excluded if results were only available for one risk condition, for each ear, or for < 100 infants, or if methodological bias was observed. Included studies were evaluated for quality across three domains: sample, screening and outcome, using modified criteria from the Ottawa-Newcastle and QUADAS-2 scales. Findings from the included studies were synthesised in tables, figures and text. Results Fifty-eight studies reported on referral rate, 8 on LTFU rate, and 35 on both. Only 15 studies defined LTFU. Substantial diversity in referral and LTFU rate was observed across studies. Twelve of fourteen studies that evaluated screening method showed lower referral rates with aABR compared to TEOAE for well babies (WB). Rescreening before hospital discharge and screening after 3 days of age reduced referral rates. Studies investigating LTFU reported lower rates for programmes that had audiologist involvement, did not require fees for step 2, were embedded in a larger regional or national programme, and scheduled follow-up in a location accessible to the families. In programmes with low overall LTFU, higher LTFU was observed for infants from the NICU compared to WB. Conclusion Although poor reporting and exclusion of non-English articles may limit the generalisability from this review, key influential factors for referral and LTFU rates were identified. Including aABR in WB screening can effectively reduce referral rates, but it is not the only solution. The reported referral and LTFU rates vary largely across studies, implying the contribution of several parameters identified in this review and the context in which the programme is performed. Extra attention should be paid to infants with higher risk for hearing impairment to ensure their return to follow-up. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03218-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R Mackey
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Andrea M L Bussé
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria Del Vecchio
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Bologna, Italy.,Unit of Audiology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elina Mäki-Torkko
- Audiological Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Inger M Uhlén
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wong YA, Mazlan R, Abdul Wahab NA, Ja'afar R, Huda Bani N, Abdullah NA. Quality measures of a multicentre universal newborn hearing screening program in Malaysia. J Med Screen 2020; 28:238-243. [PMID: 33202173 DOI: 10.1177/0969141320973060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate and discuss the outcomes of the universal newborn hearing screening program conducted at four public hospitals in Malaysia. METHOD A retrospective analysis of the universal newborn hearing screening database from each hospital was performed. The database consisted of 28,432 and 30,340 screening results of babies born in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Quality indicators (coverage rate, referral rate, return for follow-up rate, and ages at screening and diagnosis) were calculated. RESULTS Overall coverage rate across the four hospitals was 75% in 2015 and 87.4% in 2016. Over the two years, the referral rates for the first screening ranged from 2.7% to 33.93% with only one hospital achieving the recommended benchmark of <4% in both years. The return for follow-up rates for each participating hospital was generally below the recommended benchmark of ≥95%. The mean age at screening was 3.9 ± 1.2 days and 3.3 ± 0.4 days, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis for 70 infants diagnosed with permanent hearing loss was 4.7 ± 0.7 months in 2015 and 3.6 ± 0.9 months in 2016. CONCLUSIONS Quality measures for the universal newborn hearing screening program in four public hospitals in Malaysia were lower than the required standards. Nevertheless, some quality indicators showed statistically significant improvements over the two years. Next steps involve identifying and implementing the best practice strategies to improve the outcome measures and thus the quality of the program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ai Wong
- Audiology Programme, Centre for Rehabilitation & Special Needs Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rafidah Mazlan
- Audiology Programme, Centre for Rehabilitation & Special Needs Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre for Ear, Hearing and Speech, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Alaudin Abdul Wahab
- Centre for Ear, Hearing and Speech, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Roslan Ja'afar
- Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Huda Bani
- Unit Audiologi, Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Ya'acob Latiff, Cheras, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Ain Abdullah
- Unit Audiologi, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh, Malaysia
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Bussé AM, Qirjazi B, Goedegebure A, Toll M, Hoeve HL, Toçi E, Roshi E, Carr G, Simonsz HJ. Implementation of a neonatal hearing screening programme in three provinces in Albania. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 134:110039. [PMID: 32304854 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The EUSCREEN study compares the cost-effectiveness of paediatric hearing screening programmes and aims to develop a cost-effectiveness model for this purpose. Alongside and informed by the development of the model, neonatal hearing screening (NHS) is implemented in Albania. We report on the first year. METHODS An implementation plan was made addressing objectives, target population, screening protocol, screener training, screening devices, care pathways and follow up. NHS started January 1st, 2018 in four maternity hospitals: two in Tirana, one in Pogradec and one in Kukës, representing both urban and rural areas. OAE-OAE-aABR was used to screen well infants in maternity hospitals, whereas aABR-aABR was used in neonatal intensive care units and in mountainous Kukës for all infants. Screeners' uptake and attitudes towards screening and quality of screening were assessed by distributing questionnaires and visiting the maternity hospitals. The result of screening, diagnostics, follow up and entry into early intervention were registered in a database and monitored. RESULTS Screeners were keen to improve their skills in screening and considered NHS valuable for Albanian health care. The number of "fail" outcomes after the first screen was high initially but decreased to less than 10% after eight months. In 2018, 11,507 infants were born in the four participating maternity hospitals, 10,925 (94.9%) of whom were screened in the first step. For 486 infants the result of screening was not registered. For the first screen, ten parents declined, eight infants died and one infant was discharged before screening could be performed. In 1115 (10.2%) infants the test either could not be performed or the threshold was not reached; 361 (32,4%) of these did not attend the second screen. For the third screen 31 (34.4%) out of 90 did not attend. Reasons given were: parents declined (124), lived too far from screening location (95), their infant died (11), had other health issues (7), or was screened in private clinic (17), no reason given (138). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of NHS in Albania is feasible despite continuing challenges. Acceptance was high for the first screen. However, 32.4% of 1115 infants did not attend the second screen, after a "fail" outcome for the first test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ml Bussé
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Ophthalmology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Birkena Qirjazi
- University of Medicine of Tirana, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases - Ophthalmology, Tirana, Albania
| | - André Goedegebure
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn Toll
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Lj Hoeve
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ervin Toçi
- University of Medicine of Tirana, Department of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Enver Roshi
- University of Medicine of Tirana, Department of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Gwen Carr
- Independent Consultant in Early Hearing Detection, Intervention and Family Centered Practice, London, United Kingdom
| | - Huibert J Simonsz
- Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Ophthalmology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Mincarone P, Leo CG, Sabina S, Costantini D, Cozzolino F, Wong JB, Latini G. Evaluating reporting and process quality of publications on UNHS: a systematic review of programmes. BMC Pediatr 2015. [PMID: 26198353 PMCID: PMC4511235 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-015-0404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital hearing loss is one of the most frequent birth defects, and Early Detection and Intervention has been found to improve language outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) established quality of care process indicators and benchmarks for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). We have aggregated some of these indicators/benchmarks according to the three pillars of universality, timely detection and overreferral. When dealing with inter-comparison, relying on complete and standardised literature data becomes crucial. The purpose of this paper is to verify whether literature data on UNHS programmes have included sufficient information to allow inter-programme comparisons according to the indicators considered. Methods We performed a systematic search identifying UNHS studies and assessing the quality of programmes. Results The identified 12 studies demonstrated heterogeneity in criteria for referring to further examinations during the screening phase and in identifying high-risk neonates, protocols, tests, staff, and testing environments. Our systematic review also highlighted substantial variability in reported performance data. In order to optimise the reporting of screening protocols and process performance, we propose a checklist. Another result is the difficulty in guaranteeing full respect for the criteria of universality, timely detection and overreferral. Conclusions Standardisation in reporting UNHS experiences may also have a positive impact on inter-program comparisons, hence favouring the emergence of recognised best practices. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0404-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Mincarone
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Rome, 00185, Italy.
| | - Carlo Giacomo Leo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, 73100, Italy. .,Division of Clinical Decision Making, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| | - Saverio Sabina
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, 73100, Italy.
| | - Daniele Costantini
- Newborn Hearing Screening Service, Azienda USL7 Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy.
| | | | - John B Wong
- Division of Clinical Decision Making, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. .,School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| | - Giuseppe Latini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, 73100, Italy. .,Division of Neonatology, "Perrino" Hospital, ASL Brindisi, Brindisi, 72100, Italy.
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Newborn hearing screening outcomes during the first decade of the program in a reference hospital from Turkey. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2015; 273:1143-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00405-015-3654-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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The Need for Standardization of Methods for Worldwide Infant Hearing Screening: A Systematic Review. Laryngoscope 2008; 118:1830-6. [DOI: 10.1097/mlg.0b013e31817d755e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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