Document Detail


Informatics of newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Alberta 2005-08: flow of information from birth to treatment.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21485968     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: Alberta maintains a universal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism, a condition which, when treated promptly prevents neurological impairment. Because the program relies on multiple stakeholders working in different areas, it is not known how effective the overall process is in achieving timely treatment initiation. Our objective was to analyze and describe the informatics of this program.
METHODS: Data were collected from the Newborn Metabolic Screening Program and physician offices for hypothyroidism screen positive infants born between january 1, 2005 and May 31, 2008. Where data were available, times were determined for each interval: birth to sample collection, collection to receipt in central laboratory, receipt to report to the primary clinician, report to confirmatory test, and finally confirmation to thyroxin treatment.
RESULTS: Complete information was found on the stages up until report generation. Although subsequent intervals had less complete data, all but 5 of the 57 newborns were followed to the endpoint of treatment initiation or diagnosis exclusion. The program was consistent and efficient in collecting, analyzing and reporting results to the primary physician by a median of 8 days (range 4-14 days). Subsequent steps resulted in a median time from birth to treatment of 11 days. There were 4 cases for which delays in clinician follow-up led to treatment initiation at 27, 34, 56 and 70 days.
CONCLUSION: Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Alberta is efficient and consistent up until responsibility shifts to the community. Quality improvement work is needed to reduce potential delays.
Authors:
Jonathan M Dawrant; Daniele Pacaud; Andrew Wade; Shaina Archer; Fiona J Bamforth
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Canadian journal of public health. Revue canadienne de santé publique     Volume:  102     ISSN:  0008-4263     ISO Abbreviation:  Can J Public Health     Publication Date:    2011 Jan-Feb
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-04-13     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0372714     Medline TA:  Can J Public Health     Country:  Canada    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  64-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital/University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. jonathan.dawrant@albertahealthservices.ca
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