The State of Texas recognized Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine as one of the best in the state for screening newborn babies for hearing loss. About one baby in 1,000 is born with a hearing loss.
As part of a statewide public health initiative, Texas hospitals screen newborns for hearing loss. The program's goal is to ensure that newborns with hearing loss quickly get into services to develop their speech, language and learning.
"We are truly honored by our certification as a Distinguished Newborn Hearing Screening Program," said Doug Lawson, president, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. "This certification is a testament to the dedication and hard work by our staff and their absolute commitment to providing the highest level of service and quality in the area." In fiscal year 2007, 3,166 births occurred at Baylor Grapevine.
The Texas Department of State Health Services monitors hospital-based hearing screening programs to ensure quality benchmarks are met. Hospitals must screen newborns for hearing loss, refer those who need follow-up testing to audiologists, and inform parents and family doctors of hearing screening results.
"We're proud to offer this service to families in our community," said Martha Langham, R.N., Baylor Grapevine women's and children's services director. "We want families to trust Baylor Grapevine as the best place to receive safe, quality and compassionate health care."
The Texas newborn hearing screening program is one of the largest of its kind in the world and has continually ranked as one of the best in country since being implemented in 2001. Nearly 400,000 babies in Texas are screened annually because of this program.
Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine is a 233-bed, full-service, fully-accredited not-for-profit hospital, serving residents in more than 20 cities throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The hospital offers advanced medical care for brain and spine conditions, cardiovascular care, intensive care, diagnostic imaging, women's services, neonatal intensive care, sleep disorders and emergency care. VHA, Inc. honored Baylor Grapevine with a 2007 leadership award for its care of patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and heart failure. This award honors health care organizations that have differentiated themselves around national performance standards.
For fiscal year 2007, the faith-based Baylor Health Care System will report $390 million in community benefits to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Contact: Torrey L. McGraw, (817) 329-2857
Email: torreymc@baylorhealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com