AUDIT OF NEONATAL SCREENING-PROGRAM FOR PHENYLKETONURIA AND CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

The performance of the neonatal screening programme was audited agains t clinical standards in the Bath clinical area from 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1996. The standards and policy were agreed by local service pro vider representatives of the screening and were audited, using laborat ory and child health computer systems and medical records. Two annual reports ware produced with recommendations gor improvement communicate d to representatives of the service. Thus the first audit loop has bee n completed. The audit shows that the coverage of the service is excel lent, with all eligible babies being offered screening; those with con genital hypothyroidism or phenylketonuria receive appropriate treatmen t by the 28 day standard. The process works extremely well, although a reas for improvement have been identified, to increase the efficiency of the service. It is concluded that an effective and efficient audit cycle can be established, to monitor and improve the performance of th e neonatal screening service.