(1) Each hospital shall designate a person to be responsible for the newborn hearing screening program in that facility. This person will act as the single point of contact between the facility and the Arkansas Department of Health Infant Hearing Program. It is the responsibility of the facility to ensure that all screening personnel are appropriately trained to carry out the newborn hearing screening using appropriate technology. The hospital will communicate with a licensed audiologist with appropriate training and experience to advise the hospital about all aspects of the newborn hearing screening program, including screening, tracking, and follow-up. For hospitals that do not have access to audiologic personnel, the Arkansas Department of Health can provide the names of audiologists with experience in newborn hearing screening. Furthermore, each birthing hospital shall develop a quality/performance improvement component to ensure compliance with these rules, regulations, and guidelines.

(2) Each hospital shall make a reasonable effort, prior to discharge, to rescreen newborns who do not pass the initial screening.

(3) Each hospital shall forward test results on a screening report to the Department by the fifteenth (15^th) day of the month following the month in which the test was conducted.

(4) Each hospital shall disseminate written information provided by the Department to the parent prior to discharge, including locations at which audiological follow-up care and follow-up screening can be obtained by the parent or guardian of the newborn and infant.

(5) Each hospital shall provide written results of the initial hearing screening or parent refusal to the child's primary care physician within 14 days of discharge.

(6) If the newborn is transferred to another institution before screening is completed, the receiving institution must provide hearing screening services as required by these rules and regulations prior to discharge.

(7) Each hospital shall calibrate the hearing screening equipment on at least an annual basis or as recommended by manufacturer guidelines.

(8) Each hospital shall report to the Department, annual basis on July 1, and to amend any information within 30 days of a change, the following:

The reporting form shall be provided to hospitals by the Department.

(1) provide information and technical assistance to birthing hospitals.

(2) provide information and data to the Board.

(3) collaborate with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education to coordinate early educational and rehabilitative services for newborns and infants identified with hearing loss.