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Title: Section 69-1.6 - Responsibilities of the public health officer

Effective Date

02/13/2019

69-1.6 Responsibilities of the public health officer.  Public health officers shall ensure collection of a satisfactory specimen when directed by the testing laboratory and shall ensure compliance with the following procedures:

(a) The public health officer shall inform the newborn's parent(s) of the purpose and need for newborn screening, and shall provide newborn screening educational materials made available by the Department.   

(b) Specimen collection forms shall be properly stored in a cool and dry environment prior to use. 

(c) All specimens shall be air dried thoroughly on a flat nonabsorbent surface for a minimum of three (3) hours prior to forwarding to the testing laboratory. All specimens shall be forwarded to the testing laboratory within twenty-four (24) hours of collection to ensure delivery of specimens to the testing laboratory no later than forty-eight (48) hours after collection.

(d) If a satisfactory specimen or a repeat specimen is not collected due to newborn mortality, the public health officer shall submit a written and/or electronic notification to the testing laboratory within five (5) days after death. 

(e) The public health officer shall submit all information required by the testing laboratory using an electronic format determined by the Department, provided that:

(1) specimen collection forms shall be submitted as directed by the testing laboratory; and

(2) the public health officer may request an exemption from electronic submission by demonstrating, to the Department’s satisfaction, that the requirement imposes an undue burden.

(f) If the public health officer is unable to obtain a repeat specimen, the public health officer shall submit written and/or electronic documentation to the testing laboratory describing the steps taken by the public health officer to notify the parent(s) and responsible provider that a repeat specimen(s) was required.  The public health officer shall submit this documentation to the testing laboratory no later than ninety (90) days after receiving notification from the testing laboratory that a repeat specimen was required.

(g) Before performing any tasks relating to collection of specimens, the public health officer, and any staff under his or her supervision performing specimen collection, shall complete comprehensive specimen collection training, and shall complete such training annually thereafter.  The public health officer shall retain documentation of all such training.   

(h) The public health officer shall establish written policies and procedures, which shall be available for the Department’s review, for:

(1) the collection, storage, and shipping of specimens; and

(2) the tracking and disposition of test results.

Volume

VOLUME A-1a (Title 10)

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