Section 70. Newborn dried-blood-spot screening specimen collection, specimen submission, and notification for hospital deliveries

A. Newborn dried-blood-spot specimen collection and submission shall be done in accordance with requirements that are determined by the department's designated testing laboratory.

B. Newborn dried-blood-spot specimen collection shall occur after 24 hours of age or immediately before the newborn's discharge from the hospital, whichever comes first.

C. If the initial newborn dried-blood-spot specimen is collected before 24 hours of age, a repeat specimen shall be collected at the time of discharge from the hospital or no later than 14 days of age, regardless of earlier test results.

D. If the newborn is a preterm infant, the newborn dried-blood-spot specimen shall be collected at seven days of age or at the time of discharge from the hospital, whichever occurs first.

E. If the newborn requires a blood transfusion or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or if the newborn is suspected of having a heritable disorder or genetic disease that is listed in 12VAC5-71-30 D:

1. The newborn dried-blood-spot specimen may be collected before 24 hours of age and subsequently submitted; and

2. A repeat newborn dried-blood-spot specimen shall be collected at the time of discharge from the hospital or no later than 14 days of age, regardless of earlier test results, and subsequently submitted.

F. On notification by the hospital that the infant was discharged before a newborn dried-blood-spot specimen was collected, the healthcare provider in charge of the infant's care or his designee shall:

1. Notify the infant's parent that the infant was discharged before a newborn dried-blood-spot specimen was collected;

2. Cause the collection of a specimen within 48 hours of that parental notification; and

3. Cause the submission of the specimen.

G. If the newborn is to be transferred to another hospital and is less than 24 hours of age:

1. The physician or certified nurse midwife in charge of the infant's care at the hospital of birth shall:

a. Cause the collection of a newborn dried-blood-spot specimen before the newborn is transferred to another hospital;

b. Cause the submission of the specimen; and

c. Notify the receiving physician or healthcare provider that a newborn dried-blood-spot specimen was collected before 24 hours of age.

2. The receiving physician or healthcare provider shall:

a. Cause the collection of a repeat specimen at the time of discharge or no later than 14 days of age, regardless of earlier test results; and

b. Cause the submission of the specimen.

H. If the infant is transferred to another hospital and is 24 hours of age or older, the physician in charge of the infant's care at the hospital of birth shall:

1. Cause the initial collection and submission of a newborn dried-blood-spot specimen for the infant who is being transferred;

2. Notify the receiving physician or physician of record on transfer that the infant's specimen has been collected; and

3. Notify the receiving physician or physician of record if a newborn dried-blood-spot specimen needs to be repeated or if confirmatory testing is required.

I. The healthcare provider in charge of the infant's care, on receiving notice from the testing laboratory that the infant's newborn dried-blood-spot specimen is unsatisfactory, shall:

1. Cause the collection of a repeat specimen as soon as possible but no later than two business days after notice; and

2. Cause the submission of the specimen.

J. The healthcare provider in charge of the infant's care, on receiving notice of the results of the infant's newborn dried-blood-spot screening test, shall place or cause to be placed the results in the infant's medical record and cause parental notification of test results.

K. The healthcare provider in charge of the infant's care, on receiving notice of the infant's screened-abnormal result, shall:

1. Cause the collection of a repeat newborn dried-blood-spot specimen for repeat or confirmatory testing as soon as possible but no later than two business days after notice;

2. Cause the submission of the specimen; and

3. Take immediate action, as instructed, when notified of a critically abnormal screening result.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 13, eff. April 4, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 07, eff. January 24, 2014.

Statutory Authority

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