Indicadores de qualidade de um programa de triagem auditiva neonatal seletiva

Abstract

Introduction: The use of indicators has been observed as a constant practice in the assessment and monitoring of programs and health services, which aim primarily to provide quality to its users. This mechanism promotes the transparency of the system and allows that new actions can be implemented. In this way, a better performance, leads to quality assurance. Objective: To analyze the quality indicators of a selective newborn hearing screening program in a philanthropic hospital in São Paulo. Method: During the period of four consecutive months, the NHS program was performed. The study included 310 neonates with risk indicators for hearing loss. The analysis of the study aimed to compare the results found to the quality indicators proposed by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007). The data were analyzed monthly and after four months. Results: The NHS was performed in 95.8% (297/310) of neonates, and of these, 20.9% (62/297) referred the test with Automatic Auditory Brainstem Response. One neonate was referred directly to diagnostic evaluation because he presented external auditory canal malformation in the left ear. Thus, 61 neonates were referred and had the need to the return in a period of 30 days. The attendance for retest was 77.1% (47/61), with a mean age of 21.6 days. After 30 days, 17% (8/47) still referred and needed diagnostic evaluation. The rate for diagnosis attendance was 3% (9/297), and five newborns have confirmed the presence of hearing loss. The occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss (Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder) was 0.3% (1/297) and conductive hearing loss was 1.3% (4/297). The mean age at the beginning and end of diagnosis was 64.9 (2.1 months) and 82.1 days (2.7 months). Conclusion: All of quality indicators proposed by JCIH (2007), except for one indicator relating to the confirmation of hearing loss, were achieved in three months, and thus the selective NHS program was considered satisfactory