Topeka, KS– The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in partnership with the Kansas Hospital Association and the Kansas Midwives Alliance, is pleased to present the third annual recognition program for hospitals, facilities and midwives who provide newborn screening services. The third annual awards were released on October 21 by KDHE’s Kansas Newborn Screening Program (KS-NBS), honoring 136 birthing facilities and midwives for their dedication to higher newborn screening standards in 2021.
Top recognitions went to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and Neosho Memorial Hospital, who were awarded recognition as the “All Around Best of the Best.” 14 additional facilities earned a “Best of the Best” designation for either point-of-care screenings (hearing and critical congenital heart defects) or metabolic and genetic screenings.
“We’re very pleased with the effort that facilities across the state have put forth to improve the quality and timeliness of our Newborn Screening program,” Secretary Janet Stanek said. “This awards program is an opportunity to honor their dedication and encourage them to keep up the great work.”
The recognition publication is available on the program’s website, kdhe.ks.gov/1774/.
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About the Kansas Newborn Screening Program
The Kansas Newborn Screening Program has screened babies for rare and serious conditions at no charge to families since 1965, starting with screening newborns for phenylketonuria (PKU). Most babies are born healthy. However, some are born with serious medical conditions that may not be visible at birth. Left untreated, these conditions can cause permanent disability or death. Over the years the program has added 34 additional disorders to its panel including hearing loss, critical congenital heart defects, and 32 additional genetic and metabolic disorders. Over 34,500 babies received this essential service in 2020, saving 12 lives and preventing serious illness or disability for more than 252 Kansas children.
