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Through quality improvement activities, it has been repeatedly proven that what occurs prior to a newborn's hospital discharge predicts the success of follow-up for an infant. Therefore, the standardized "flow chart" Hi-Track report is being provided to each birth hospital so that you can monitor your hospital's program. The flow chart allows hospital screening program coordinators to see the 'flow' of babies through a two stage inpatient and outpatient screening protocol. Stage one includes up to two inpatient hearing screenings prior to discharge. If the baby is not screened, or refers for more screening, then the infant moves to stage two.
There are three main sections to the flow chart: Inpatient, Outpatient & Hearing Status (Evaluation):

• The total number of infants at the top of the chart indicates how many infants are included during this time period by this hospital.

• The outpatient section accounts for all infants who referred, whose inpatient results were Inconclusive or who were not screened as an inpatient.

• Atypical - diagnostics represents infants who have an evaluation in process or a confirmed loss, including risk monitoring, although they passed either inpatient or outpatient screening, or were not screened inpatient or outpatient.

• In the Hearing Status section, the total recommended for evaluation number includes infants who referred outpatient, were marked as no outpatient; diagnostics and babies who were atypically referred for diagnostics.

This letter (pdf) provides an introduction to the content and information found in the Birthing Hospital Report Card.  It includes a sample Report Card with detailed explanation of the various information the Report Card contains.

For recent report cards, hospital staff may contact Dr. Ginger Mullin at the Illinois Department of Public Health 217-785-1053.