Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 641 - Public Health Department
Chapter 3 - Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program
Rule 641-3.6 - Procedures Required of Birthing Hospitals

(1) Each birthing hospital shall designate an employee of the hospital to be responsible for the newborn hearing screening program in that institution. If a birthing hospital contracts with a third party for newborn screening services, the hospital retains ultimate responsibility for screening and reporting.

(2) Prior to the discharge of the newborn, each birthing hospital shall provide hearing screening to every newborn delivered in the hospital, except in the following circumstances:

(3) If a newborn is transferred for acute care, the birthing hospital shall notify the receiving facility of the status of the hearing screening. The receiving facility shall then be responsible for completion of the newborn hearing screening prior to discharge of the newborn from the nursery.

(4) Newborn hearing screening shall be performed by a health care professional.

(5) The birthing hospital shall report newborn hearing screening results to the parent or guardian in written form.

(6) The birthing hospital shall report newborn hearing screening results to the department pursuant to 641-3.9 (135).

(7)The birthing hospital shall report the results of the hearing screening to the primary care provider of the newborn or infant upon the newborn's or infant's discharge from the birthing hospital. If the newborn or infant was not tested prior to discharge, the birthing hospital shall report the status of the hearing screening to the primary care provider of the newborn or infant.

(8) The birthing hospital shall follow the hearing screening protocols prescribed by the department.