The Women and Children’s Center of Doctors Medical Center is pleased to announce that over 850 infants have been screened since its Universal Hearing Screen Program was initiated on October 4, 1999.

Newborn screening is done using a computer program operated by trained Registered Nurses and Obstetrics Technicians. The screenings are done on all babies, 24 hours daily. This is a simple and non-invasive hearing test. The screening begins with an OAE (otoacoustic emissions) test, done by an ear probe. If the infant does not pass the OAE on two separate occasions, a more extensive ABR (auditory brainstem response) test is completed. This test is more time consuming and more extensive. If the infant passes, there is no further testing. If the final test is not passed the infant is referred to DMC’s High Risk Infant Follow-up Clinic for a follow-up test. The infant’s appointment is made prior to discharge, and the physician taking care of the infant is notified of all results.

Assembly Bill 2780 states that all newborns will be offered a hearing screen prior to discharge from the hospital. Hospitals have until December 31, 2002 to be in compliance.

Doctors Medical Center of Modesto is a JCAHO accredited, 397 bed acute care hospital, offering a wide range of services including Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Medical/Surgical, Emergency and Trauma Services, Air Ambulance, Critical/Intensive Care and Women and Children’s Services. DMC employs more than 2000 employees and has approximately 500 affiliated physicians. More than an acute care hospital, Doctors Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare delivery system.