CMV Conference

Abstract Details

10/10/2023 | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM | Courtroom

The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Hearing Targeted cCMV Screening Program, Initial Experience and Lessons Learned

Abstract Summary

After Virginia passed regulation requiring hearing targeted congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening in the summer of 2019, the VA EHDI program was tasked with the implementation by September 1, 2020. VA EHDI had assistance from various stakeholders in development of cCMV legislation and protocols. In this presentation, we will outline the steps of, and considerations of the development of policy and regulation related to our state-wide program. Implementation of CMV screening was to begin during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting several challenges including difficulty in conducting on-site training due to travel restrictions and hospital accessibility for VA EHDI staff. The VA EHDI program shifted focus from on-site educational site visits to virtual training for birthing hospitals and primary care providers to maximize education of external stakeholders. In the Spring 2021, VA EHDI obtained feedback that PCPs were not adequately educated prior to implementation. To address these concerns, VA EHDI collaborated with engaged stakeholders to develop materials for PCPs. VA EHDI also collaborated with the Virginia American Academy of Pediatrics and a major health system in Virginia to develop a training session for PCPs. In this session, we will highlight VA EHDI program’s experience with the development of regulations, protocols, and training for targeted cCMV screening. Invested stakeholders will discuss their role in the process of implementation. We will review the process for conducting screening and necessary follow-up in Virginia. Additionally, we will share lessons learned with changes identified after implementation, including steps taken to address these concerns, continuous quality improvement (CQI) metrics, and ongoing education needs. We will also review CMV screening data collected over the first 2 years of implementation of cCMV screening and our experience with saliva screening. We hope this session will serve as a guide for states wishing to develop and implement cCMV screening.

Learning Objectives

Policy and regulation development of a newborn CMV screening program
The effect of COVID pandemic on implementation of a new program
Impact of educational efforts on initial data on newborn CMV screens in Virginia

Presentation

3440589_16062StephanieMoody Antonio.pdf

Handouts

No handouts have been uploaded.

Presenters

Stephanie Moody Antonio | Primary Presenter

moodysa@evms.edu;
Stephanie Moody Antonio, MD, FACS is Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School and practices Otology and Neurotology in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia. She is Director of the EVMS/CHKD Cochlear Implant Program and Secretary/Treasurer of the Coalition for Hearing Education and Research (CHEAR). Through CHEAR, she was instrumental in the initiation of public oral education programs for children with hearing impairment in Hampton Roads. She advocated for CMV screening institutionally and regionally and was instrumental in successful legislation mandating CMV screening for newborns who fail initial hearing screening in Virginia. She continues to work with Virginia Department of Health on policies and protocols related to childhood hearing loss. She continues to work toward universal access to and standards for hearing care with the Hearing Healthcare Collaborative. She serves on the editorial board of Otology & Neurotology.