Guam § 4104 - Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening Programs.

§ 4104. Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening Programs.

(a) Each health care facility shall establish a universal newborn hearing

screening program which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) in advance of any hearing screening testing, providing to the

newborn's or infant's parent(s), information concerning the nature of

the screening procedure, applicable costs of the screening procedure

(including information concerning insurance coverage and co-payment

obligations), the potential risk and effects of hearing loss, and the

benefits of early detection and intervention;

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(2) providing a hearing screening test for every newborn born in

the health care facility for identification of hearing loss, regardless of

whether or not the newborn has known risk factors suggesting hearing

loss;

(3) developing screening protocols and select screening method(s)

designed to detect newborns and infants with a significant hearing loss,

as recommended by professional health and medical organizations;

(4) providing for appropriate training and monitoring of the

performance of individuals responsible for performing hearing

screening tests who shall be trained properly in:

(i) the performance of the tests;

(ii) the risks of the tests, including psychological stress for

the parent(s);

(iii) infection control practices; and

(iv) the general care and handling of newborns and infants in

hospital settings.

(5) performing the hearing testing prior to the newborn's

discharge; if the newborn is expected to remain in the health care

facility for a prolonged period, testing shall be performed prior to the

date on which he or she attains the age of three (3) months;

(6) developing and implementing procedures for documenting the

results of all hearing screening tests;

(7) informing the newborn=s or infant=s parents and primary care

physician of the results of the hearing screening test, or if the newborn

or infant was not successfully tested. Whenever possible, such

notification shall occur prior to discharge; if this is not possible,

notification shall occur no later than ten (10) days following the date of

testing. Notification shall include information regarding appropriate

follow-up for a screening failure or a missed screening, and referral

information for confirmatory testing. If a hearing screening test

indicates the possibility of a significant hearing loss, the health care

facility shall ensure that the physician, or other persons attending the

newborn or infant, is made aware of the community resources

available for confirmatory testing and process of referral to early

intervention services; and

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(8) collecting performance data specified and recommended by

the Center for Disease Control, Early Detection and Intervention

Program Guidance Manual to insure that each health care facility is in

compliance with reporting:

(i) the number of newborns born in the hospital;

(ii) the number of newborns and infants recommended for

diagnostic audiological evaluation;

(iii) the number of newborns screened on birth admission;

(iv) the number of newborns who passed the birth admission

screening, if administered;

(v) the number of newborns who did not pass the birth

admission screening, if administered;

(vi) the number of newborns recommended for monitoring,

intervention, and follow-up care;

(vii) the number of newborns and infants who return for

follow-up rescreening;

(viii) the number of newborns and infants who pass the

follow-up rescreening; and

(ix) National Testing Performance Standards as adopted by

the American Academy of Pediatrics.

(b) The Department of Public Health & Social Services shall exercise

oversight responsibility for health care facilities, including establishing a

performance data set and reviewing performance data collected pursuant

thereto by each health care facility.