SHOEBOX Data Management V3.22 includes the following updates:
1. Enhanced Dashboard
At SHOEBOX, we understand that managing data across multiple locations can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the new Dashboard in Version 3.22 of our Data Management portal.
With this powerful new tool, Admin Users can quickly and easily monitor compliance levels and pending actions across different locations, giving them the ability to take action and make informed decisions in real-time. The Dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of compliance status, highlighting areas that require attention and allowing users to drill down into specific details as needed.
2. Updated OSHA Age Correction Tables for Shift Calculations
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has recently updated and revised Chapter 5 of Section III (Noise) in its OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). This update focuses on the approval of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for age correction of thresholds used in the average hearing level calculations (AHL), effectively replacing the previous data that was permitted to be used optionally when calculating Standard Threshold Shifts (STS).
Based on the updated recommendation by OSHA, these new and more clinically valid tables are now integrated into the product. Note that as always, the application of these correction factors is optional and they can be disabled in the portal settings if an organization would prefer for them not to be used. This will enhance the accuracy of identifying if changes in hearing are due mainly to noise exposure or the natural aging effect on hearing, leading to a reduction in both false positive and false negative shift determinations.
Please note that any audiograms created on or after July 1, 2023 will now use the updated OSHA Age Correction Tables to calculate shifts. Audiograms completed before this date will continue to use the older tales for calculating STSs.
3. Other notable improvements
a. Noise Exposure Level demographic: We have introduced a new demographic field in the patient file called Noise exposure level. This field can be used to capture the time-weighted average (TWA) noise level to which a worker is typically exposed during their duties. Tracking this information is imperative for maintaining OSHA compliance.
b. Flip Left-Right Ear Results: Audiology reviewers now have the ability to reverse the left and right ear thresholds in audiogram test results. This feature is particularly useful when a patient encounters a situation where the left and right headphones were inadvertently switched, which is far from an uncommon occurrence. By utilizing this functionality, fast and accurate adjustments can be easily made to ensure proper thresholds for each ear.
c. Reset baseline when BioVerification frequencies change: Modifying the test prep settings for bioverification (BV) in the portal, such as adding or removing frequencies, will result in the clearing of shared baselines. Administrators making these changes will be notified in advance to ensure awareness of this outcome. This process ensures that shared baselines remain consistent with the test prep settings at all times.