Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Utah appear to have the most advanced computerized programs that send information directly from the hospital to the state departments of health. Computerized hospital-based data management programs have recently been developed by several manufacturers. The manual system has been voluntary and dependent on the willingness of the audiologist or nursery director to submit monthly reports.
Legislation now requires monthly reporting.
Colorado is utilizing data reporting systems that are already in place so hospitals are not implementing separate tracking and data management systems. Keeping track of the number of children actually diagnosed with hearing loss is important to obtain in order to determine the incidence and the efficacy of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programs. However, this information has become difficult to track as many diagnostic centers are not located or associated directly with birthing facilities. Currently, Colorado keeps track of children diagnosed with hearing loss in two ways. First, audiologists are asked to voluntarily submit a Confirmed Hearing Loss Report for every infant diagnosed with hearing loss.