OZ Systems Awarded Contract to Provide Newborn Screening Software for ASHAs National Outcomes Measurement System

Optimization Zorn Corporation (OZ Systems) receives contract to modify their SIMS© newborn hearing screening information management software for use in the American Speech Language Hearing Association's (ASHA) National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS).

Dallas, TX - Optimization Zorn Corporation (OZ Systems) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) to produce a special version of the Screening Information Management Solution (SIMS©) software for use in ASHA' National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS). The NOMS study will be conducted at selected hospitals performing newborn hearing screening across the United States. These hospitals will collect and report screening information and outcomes data to ASHA headquarters using the modified OZ Systems' SIMS© software.

'This is the first time a national healthcare organization has undertaken a nationwide outcomes study of newborn hearing screening programs,' says Kenneth D. Pool, M.D., President and CEO of OZ Systems. The SIMS© software will allow ASHA/NOMS to acquire and manage information from sites throughout the country. Modifications to the software will allow detailed outcomes analysis on all infants screened for hearing loss. This information will be critical in insuring the efficiency and effectiveness of newborn hearing screening programs worldwide. 'We are extremely proud that ASHA has chosen OZ Systems to provide the core software and modifications for this study' said Dr. Pool.

Recent scientific publications indicate that undetected hearing loss in newborns can lead to intellectual and emotional deficits. These findings have stimulated 21 states to implement laws requiring the screening of newborns for hearing loss during the birth admission. As these states begin implementation, Oz Systems has benefited from the increased demand for information and outcomes data management. This growth trend is expected to continue with the passing of legislation in additional states and the steady increase in the number of hospitals that perform newborn hearing screening without legislative mandates.

Optimization Zorn Corporation (DBA OZ Systems) is a privately held Texas corporation based in Dallas whose primary business is the design, development and support of information management software for the newborn screening market. Current products include the 'Screening Information Management Solution' (SIMS©) software for newborn hearing screening. New product releases expected next year will diversify the company into additional newborn screening markets.

For additional information on OZ Systems, contact Connor W. Lamm, Executive Vice President of Operations, at (214) 631-6161. For more information about NOMS, please contact the National Center for Treatment Effectiveness in Communication Disorders at (301) 897-0101 or nctecd@asha.org.