Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI) Program
Birth Facility Certification Requirements for Newborn Hearing Screening
Health and Safety Code (HSC), Chapter 47, §§ 47.001 - 47.009 and the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 37, Subchapter S, §§ 37.501 - 37.512 outline specific certification requirements and performance standards for birth facility newborn hearing screening programs. As the oversight agency for TEHDI, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) monitors program compliance according to the following annotated listing of certification requirements and performance standards.
1. A newborn hearing screen must be performed on all newborns during the birth admission.
2. The hearing screen must be performed on at least 95% of facility newborns prior to dismissal from the birth admission to achieve Standard Certification, and 98% to achieve Distinguished Certification. (TAC §37.505)
3. At least 90% of all newborns tested must pass the hearing screen to achieve Standard Certification, and 95% to achieve Distinguished Certification. (TAC §37.505)
4. The hearing screen must be performed using equipment approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). A list of this equipment is available on the DSHS website at http://www.DSHS.state.tx.us/tehdi/Audiology-Services-Technologies-That-Meet-Requirements.aspx). (TAC §37.504; HSC §47.004)
5. Parental consent for reporting identifying data to DSHS must be obtained for newborns who fail the hearing screen or were not screened. (TAC §37.503, §37.504, §37.511; HSC §47.007, §47.008)
6. Contact information must be included in the electronic data transmission to DSHS for newborns who fail the hearing screen or are not screened. (TAC §37.503; HSC §47.007)
7. Protocols must include procedures concerning at least the following: newborn hearing screening records; informed consent for individually identifying information to be sent to DSHS; disclosure of information; newborn hearing screening staff, technology, and screening procedures; reporting and referral; and data transfer. Protocols shall require appropriate referrals to the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). Birth facility program protocols are subject to review and approved by DSHS. (TAC §37.503; HSC §47.003; TAC §621.45 relating to Primary Referral Requirements)
8. Results from all hearing screens must be reported electronically to DSHS, using the information management, reporting, and tracking system provided to facilities by DSHS. Test results may not be manually entered. Patients must be marked as complete (discharged/outpatient) from the information management system when dismissed from the birth admission. Results of babies returning to the facility for follow-up hearing screens must be reported electronically to DSHS, using the information management, reporting, and tracking system provided to facilities by DSHS. (TAC §37.504, §37.509; HSC §47.004)
9. Results from the hearing screen must be printed using the information system provided by DSHS and reported to the newborn’s attending physician. DSHS verifies performance from random checks and physician surveys. (TAC §37.505, §37.507; HSC §47.005)
10. Parents must be given the results of the hearing screen that are printed from the information system provided by DSHS. DSHS verifies performance from random checks and parent surveys. (TAC §37.507; HSC §47.005)
11. Standardized information must be given to parents of all newborns prior to discharge. DSHS provides a newborn hearing brochure that may be obtained at no cost to the birth facility. Quantities of this brochure may be ordered online at http://thstepsproducts.com/#newborn. Facilities may distribute additional materials as deemed appropriate. (TAC §37.504, §37.507; HSC §47.004)
12. Information regarding available follow-up services for newborns and infants with abnormal screening results must be provided to parents of newborns who fail the hearing screen. (TAC §37.504, §37.507; HSC §47.004)
DSHS and its contractor, OZ Systems, are committed to providing the guidance and advice needed to help all facilities achieve required certification criteria and performance standards.