Hearing screening performed by Babies First Newborn Hearing Screen employees for newborn patients within Mother Baby and NICU. This screening is an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requirement. The vendor uses and manages their own medical equipment and supplies as well as records results on the patient electronic medical record. Additionally, the vendor reports required data to IDPH. The vendor provides the equipment and service at no cost. They will bill insurance providers directly for this service and will invoice the University for any denials encountered to cover costs associated with providing the services.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for medical supplies or medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by SIU or U of I (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b-5)) Babies First Newborn Hearing Screen has to do with direct patient care. Without access to these specific services the hospital would not be able to offer treatment and care for our youngest patients that would drive patients elsewhere and result in a loss of revenue to the Hospital.