Mrs Larissa Ralph1, Mrs Melinda Barker1
1Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, , Australia
Biography:
Larissa Ralph is a Senior Area Manager with the Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program (VIHSP). Larissa has over 15 years of healthcare management experience, across both private and public sectors, leading high performing teams. VIHSP screens the hearing of newborn babies in their first weeks of life. Larissa oversees program delivery at 20 maternity services that account for approximately 35,000 births per year. Larissa also plays a key role in identifying and implementing initiatives to improve operational and quality priorities for the program.
Abstract
Introduction
The Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program (VIHSP) transitioned to a new hearing screening device in 2021. Following introduction of the device, VIHSP teams reported reduced job satisfaction, challenges with screening, and an increased workload. VIHSP applied a quality improvement model in response.
Purpose
To provide an overview and outcomes of applying a quality improvement model to newborn hearing screening services.
Method
Program measures of capture, timeliness and refer rate were not relevant to individual screening teams to identify the impact of changes to practice. Measurable outcomes of screening were identified and a model for improvement was implemented to respond to the feedback from VIHSP teams. Identifying objective measures that could be tracked over time provided managers and hearing screeners tangible feedback on how changes to screening conditions, techniques and troubleshooting impacted outcomes and workload.
Results
Peak rates of 14.9% for the frequency that a second screen was required (Screen 2 rate) were recorded across the region. Individual sites recorded up to 22.9% Screen 2 rate. Since the introduction of the model for improvement, Screen 2 rate for this region have been maintained at 8% or lower for ten consecutive months. This reduction has accompanied a reduced workload, improved screening competence, and greater reported job satisfaction.
Conclusion
Implementation of a quality improvement model including reporting, review and feedback has improved screening outcomes across a region of VIHSP. Individual and team measures of performance can positively support change to improve screening outcomes, job satisfaction and motivation, and family experience.