Section 250. Congenital heart disease screening records

A. The screening of newborns pursuant to this chapter is a population-based public health surveillance program as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191; 110 Stat. 2033).

B. Upon request, a hospital shall make available to the Virginia Congenital Anomalies Reporting and Education System (VaCARES):

1. Medical records;

2. Records of laboratory tests; and

3. Any other information that VaCARES considers necessary to:

a. Determine final outcomes of abnormal CCHD screening results; or

b. Evaluate CCHD screening activities in the Commonwealth, including performance of follow-up evaluations and diagnostic tests, initiation of treatment when necessary, and surveillance of the accuracy and efficacy of the CCHD screening.

C. Information that the Virginia Department of Health receives under this section is confidential and may only be used or disclosed:

1. For research and collective statistical purposes pursuant to § 32.1-67.1 of the Code of Virginia;

2. For state or federally mandated statistical reports;

3. To ensure that the information received by the Virginia Department of Health is accurate and reliable; or

4. For reporting to the Virginia Congenital Anomalies Reporting and Education System pursuant to § 32.1-69.1 of the Code of Virginia and 12VAC5-191-280. The Newborn Screening Program shall refer the newborn's parent or guardian to the Care Connection for Children network for care coordination services.

D. The hospital administrator shall ensure that CCHD screening is included in the perinatal quality assurance program and provide the results of the quality improvement program to the Virginia Department of Health upon request.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 33, Issue 02, eff. October 20, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-67 of the Code of Virginia.