Hable, Nicholas

ABSTRACT Objective Identifying and addressing pediatric hearing loss is critical to supporting a child's development. School‐based hearing screening is a mainstay of timely identification of hearing loss. The objectives of this study were to characterize the current hearing screening practices in public, charter, and private elementary schools in Minnesota. Methods This was a cross‐sectional survey with data collected between March and June 2023. Surveys assessed the presence of standardized hearing screening processes and compliance with American Academy of Audiology (AAA) or Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines. Results About 146 public schools, 43 charter schools, and 60 private schools met inclusion criteria and responded to the survey. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of standardized screening between school types ( χ 2 = 18.06; p < 0.001). Only 10.44% ( n = 26) of schools completed hearing screenings per AAA guidelines, and even fewer, 4.82% ( n = 12), completed hearing screenings according to MDH guidelines. The odds of screening per AAA or MDH guidelines were 3.50 times higher in charter schools compared to public schools (95% CI: 1.14, 10.73) and 4.61 times higher in private schools compared to public schools (95% CI: 1.73, 12.26). Conclusion There is a lack of standardization in hearing screening processes in Minnesota elementary schools. Adherence to screening per AAA or MDH recommendations is low in all types of elementary schools. Charter and private schools were more likely than public schools to screen per AAA or MDH guidelines. Overall, our data demonstrate an opportunity for improvement in school‐based hearing screening. Level of Evidence N/A.

Background: Surgical registries have been widely adopted in high-income countries to improve patient outcomes. However, similar data-driven initiatives are still scarce in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Aims: This study aimed to address the challenges of implementing a perioperative registry for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) in Mekelle, Ethiopia, and to assess strategies for ensuring its long-term sustainability. Methods: The registry was developed using REDCap, through a collaborative effort between otolaryngologists in the United States and Ethiopia, ensuring its relevance to the local context. On-site training sessions were conducted for 13 OHNS residents and four senior surgeons to facilitate their use of the registry. A Wi-Fi router was installed in the operating room to enable real-time data entry. Continuous support was provided through remote communication between the local team and the U.S. research team. Sustainability strategies focused on fostering local ownership, integrating the registry into existing workflows, and maintaining continuous data monitoring. Results: Despite facing challenges like intermittent internet connectivity and issues with workflow integration, the local team successfully integrated the registry into routine clinical and surgical practices. Key strategies included providing dedicated Wi-Fi routers, modifying registry fields for improved efficiency, and emphasizing the registry’s value to the institution. Ongoing collaboration between the local team and the U.S. team enabled continuous optimization and data collection. Conclusion: The successful implementation of this perioperative registry underscores the importance of engaging local stakeholders and integrating sustainable workflows. This initiative serves as a model for other LMICs seeking to establish surgical registries that enhance data-driven decision-making at both the patient and institutional levels.