Program certification criteria shall include the following:

1. (1) procedures for maintaining and reporting data electronically to the department, including assurances that confidentiality and general access to data meet state and federal guidelines;
2. (2) obtaining parental consent according to §37.511 of this title (relating to Confidentiality and General Access to Data);
3. (3) assuring that a sufficient number of screening staff, including managers and screeners, successfully complete training provided by the department or the department's designee during program implementation. Staff members who complete the department's training successfully shall be considered qualified hearing screening providers, and may train other staff members at their facilities;

4. (4) providing hearing screening using equipment that meets department criteria, including but not limited to the following:

   1. (A) a demonstrated ability to link electronically to the department's newborn hearing screening information system;
   2. (B) clearance or approval for marketing for hearing screening by the Food & Drug Administration, if applicable; and
   3. (C) capability to identify hearing loss that meets the definition in §37.502(5) of this title;
5. (5) communicating with parents, physicians or health care providers, the department, and the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention with appropriate procedures for reporting screening results and providing information to parents regarding follow-up services;
6. (6) procedures for distribution by birthing facilities of standardized educational materials developed and provided by the department, as well as additional materials it may select, to parents, health care providers, and physicians;
7. (7) performance of program services in compliance with §37.505 of this title (relating to Program Performance Standards and Goals); and
8. (8) approved protocols for program operation.

Source Note:The provisions of this §37.504 adopted to be effective May 11, 2000, 25 TexReg 3962.