Section 641.3.7. Procedures required of birth centers.

Each birth center in Iowa shall follow these procedures:

         3.7(1) Each birth center shall designate an employee of the birth center to be responsible for the newborn hearing screening program in that institution.

         3.7(2) Prior to discharge of the newborn, each birth center shall refer every newborn delivered in the birth center to a health care professional for a newborn hearing screening. Before discharge of the newborn, the birth center shall arrange an appointment for the newborn hearing screening no more than 15 days from the date of discharge and report the appointment time, date and location to the parent.

         3.7(3) The health care professional to whom the newborn is referred for screening shall complete the screening within 30 days of the newborn’s discharge from the birth center, unless the parent fails to attend the appointment. If the parent fails to attend the appointment, the health care professional shall document such failure in the medical or educational record and shall report such failure to the department.

         3.7(4) The health care professional who completes the newborn hearing screening shall report screening results to the parent in written form.

         3.7(5) The health care professional who completes the newborn hearing screening shall report screening results to the department pursuant to 641—3.9(135).

         3.7(6) The health care professional who completes the newborn hearing screening shall report the results of the hearing screening to the primary care provider of the newborn or infant.

         3.7(7) The person who completes the screening shall follow the hearing screening protocols prescribed by the department.

[ARC 8232B, IAB 10/7/09, effective 11/11/09; ARC 2290C, IAB 12/9/15, effective 1/13/16]