New national hearing information management system being developed

The new system will capture data for screening and audiology and is a module of the new Maternity Clinical Information System (MCIS). It’s designed to work with the MCIS if it’s already been implemented or as a stand-alone module.

Antenatal and Newborn Screening Manager Kathy Bendikson says the NHIMS  will capture both screening and audiology data and be the future repository for clinical information for all babies who have newborn hearing screening and for those who are referred to audiology. It allows for electronic referrals, monitoring and reporting.

Key benefits of a national system include:

• one system for all newborn hearing screening and audiology data that links with the MCIS, which captures all information on newborns
• a system that allows access by each DHB and by the NSU
• an interface to Beraphone MB11 from the NHIMS, meaning the information captured when a hearing screen is performed is added into the NHIMS automatically
• automated and easy tracking of babies through the screening pathway – the NHIMS will provide birthing lists so hearing screeners will know who should be offered screening every day
• reports provided daily, weekly, monthly or at any other required timeframe for monitoring of screening numbers, screener activity and DHB volumes
• interface with newborn hearing screening equipment and audiology equipment to automatically provide data to the system
• earlier identification of babies who have moved between DHBs and immediate access to their demographic and screening information
• easier monitoring of babies to ensure they are screened correctly, referred when required and seen in audiology
• reporting on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme (UNHSEIP) screening targets by one month and audiology by three months
• the capability to support an audiology peer review process
• NSU access to national data for monitoring and evaluating the UNHSEIP.

‘All of this will mean much more efficient and consistent work practices, reduced data entry, hard copy information and the ability to share data when required,’ says Kathy.

‘For instance, interfaces are planned with the hearing testing equipment and NHIMS so hearing and audiology data is automatically uploaded into NHIMS.

‘It will also allow timelier monitoring to ensure the best quality screening and allows the NSU to identify and remedy any issues quickly.’

NHIMS training will be provided to all coordinators, screeners and audiologists and user guides will be developed.

The new system is due to be implemented from July 2015. The NSU will work with DHBs on the timing, with the expectation all DHBs will be using the NHIMS by June 2016.