10a ncac 43F .1203       SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

(a)  Medical facilities that provide birthing or inpatient neonatal services shall:

(1)           Physiologically screen each newborn in each ear for the presence of permanent hearing loss before the infant is discharged from the medical facility after birth unless medical complications prevent such; and

(2)           Maintain the equipment necessary to physiologically screen each newborn for the presence of permanent hearing loss.

(b)  Any physician that attends a newborn within 30 days of birth and determines that the newborn has not been physiologically screened in each ear for the presence of permanent hearing loss shall refer the patient for such screening within 30 days of birth or as soon as is practical.

(c)  Parents or guardians may object to the hearing screening in accordance with G.S. 130A-125(b).

(d)  When an attending physician has issued an order that diagnostic auditory evoked response testing be performed for an infant who exhibits medically recognized risk factors of auditory deficits, a hearing screening is not required to be performed on the infant. The outcome of the diagnostic testing procedure shall be reported in accordance with 10A NCAC 43F .1204.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-125; S.L. 1998, c. 131, s. 13;

Temporary Adoption Eff. October 1, 1999;

Eff. August 1, 2000;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2004;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. October 3, 2017.