Newborn hearing screening equipment
Updated 8 December 2015
© Crown copyright 2015
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/newborn-hearing-screening-programme-approved-equipment-suppliers/newborn-hearing-screening-equipment
1. Introduction
The NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) is responsible for specifying the equipment used by local screening services and holding suppliers to account. The NHS is responsible for procurement.
The NHS Supply Chain has secured a framework contract that provides equipment fit for purpose and good value for money. The framework is managed centrally holding suppliers to account for their equipment and services.
2. Framework agreement
The framework agreement (REF CM/RSG/05/4430) with suppliers was awarded on 1 December 2011 and will be in place until 1 June 2016.
Equipment must be evaluated to ensure it complies with the technical specification, before it is accepted onto the framework. It will only be selected for use within NHSP if there is satisfactory evidence that it is sensitive enough to screen for moderate or greater hearing loss and specific enough not to refer too many without a hearing loss. There are 6 instruments from 4 suppliers that are fully compliant and are in use.
| Manufacturer | Supplier | Model | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madsen | Otometrics UK | Accuscreen (classic) | TEOAE and ABR combined |
| TEOAE | |||
| Accuscreen (new) | TEOAE and ABR combined | ||
| TEOAE | |||
| Natus | Genesys Medical Solutions (UK) Ltd | Algo 3i | ABR |
| Otodynamics | Otodynamics Ltd | Otoport | TEOAE |
Natus Nicolet UK Ltd
Prospect House
Baynards Green Trading Estate
Bicester
Oxfordshire
OX27 7SG
Email hearingbalanceinfo.uk@natus.com
Technical support 0870 900 0675
Genesys Medical Solutions (UK) Ltd
Unit 6, Station Industrial Estate
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG41 2YR
Email euroservice@genesysmedicalsolutions.com
Technical support 0870 600 9940
Otodynamics Ltd
30-38 Beaconsfield Road
Hatfield
Herts
AL10 8BB
Email support@otodynamics.com
Technical support 01707 274700
Under the framework suppliers must provide services to support their equipment. These cover the following areas.
2.1 Intermediary software
Software is provided for transferring data between the instrument and the national NHSP IT system (eSP), for updating firmware when required and for viewing response waveform data. Updates will be released as required but usually no more than once a year.
2.2 Consumables and parts
Bespoke consumables and parts such as transducer cables are supplied for each type of instrument.
2.3 Calibration
Annual for Accuscreen and Algo 3i. Once every 3 years for the Otoport.
2.4 Repairs
The warranty period is usually 24 months for instruments and 3 months for parts. Repairs outside of the warranty period will require payment. Some suppliers quote one blanket price for any repair while others will provide an itemised quote. Occasionally, if repairs are likely to take some time, the supplier may issue a loan instrument.
2.5 Training
Suppliers provide one day’s training for new local managers (half a day of travel and half a day of training). They will provide an operational manual and updates as required.
3. Screening provider responsibilities
Screening providers are responsible for financing sufficient equipment to screen their population within their model of working. Only equipment on the framework agreement that has been endorsed by NHSP may be used for hearing screening. It must have had local safety and acceptance testing before inclusion on their asset register. Providers should inform local IT leads about the need for intermediary software, which enables synchronisation with the web-based screening data management system eSP. Local IT support will be needed to ensure successful installation or updating. Configuration and operating instructions are described in the installation guides and protocols.
Equipment must be registered with eSP (esp.helpdesk@nhs.net). This includes loaned equipment which must be de-registered when returned. The manufacturers’ recommended methods for decontamination must be followed and all cleaning regimes approved by local infection control departments. Routine daily quality checks must be carried out to show that the instrument is functioning correctly. Calibration schedules must be adhered to and certificates kept as a record. Each screening service has their own customer relationship with suppliers and must hold them to account according to the framework agreement.
It is the responsibility of local managers (or other designated person) to manage faulty equipment and repairs but any concerns about recurring problems with performance may be reported to the Public Health England (PHE) screening helpdesk. Some suppliers are offering maintenance contracts or a managed service. These are not part of the current framework and have not been evaluated for value. It is therefore at the discretion of trusts or organisations providing screening to decide whether or not it would make economic sense to sign up to them.
4. NHSP responsibilities
The national programme will:
- monitor equipment performance to gather evidence that will drive improvements (holding regular meetings with suppliers and disseminating updates through the NHSP user group)
- investigate incidents involving equipment, including those where data did not appear in eSP (resolutions or lessons learned will be agreed with suppliers before dissemination)
- keep protocols and guidance documents up to date
NHSP is working with NHS England and NHS Supply Chain on a new framework which will be launched in June 2016. This will be evaluated by a joint NHS and PHE clinical consultation group for efficacy and quality.