Idaho state law requires the department's Newborn Screening (NBS) Program to test all infants born in Idaho for a number of rare but treatable disorders using a dried blood spot specimen. To make sure newborn screening tests are performed, Idaho Administrative code designates practitioners as the responsible party for specimen collection. The definition of "practitioner" includes physicians, nurses, and midwives who deliver or care for infants in hospitals, birth centers, or homes.
Practitioners are integral to newborn screening in that they are responsible for collection and handling of specimens for every infant in their care, as well as parent education and prompt action on incomplete or abnormal results referred to them. If an infant is affected, the practitioner’s actions and decisions to ensure rapid evaluation and appropriate treatment can have lifelong implications for the infant and the family.
Announcement 1
Please be aware that the Newborn Screening Program has met its $50,000 cap/year for courier services.
The UPS shipping label link on this page will be disabled as of Friday, 1/7/2022, by 5pm.
You should continue to use UPS, FedEx, another expedited shipment option, and/or first class mail to ship newborn screening specimens to the Washington State Public Health Lab at:
WA Public Health Laboratories
Attn: Newborn Screening
1610 N.E. 150th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155
For questions about this announcement, please contact stephanie.walters1@dhw.idaho.gov.
Announcement 2
The Newborn Screening Program (NBS) will be adding four new conditions to our screening panel
What you need to know:
- The new conditions will be added effective February 1, 2022
- The four conditions will be:
- Glycogen storage disease type II (Pompe)
- Mucopolysaccharidosis Type-1 (MPS-1)
- Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD)
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
- The Idaho NBS will be hosting a WebEx training on January 19, 2022 from 12 pm-1 pm regarding the addition of these new conditions
- If you would like an invitation to this training session and you are not currently on our NBS Provider Contact List, please contact KD Carlson at kd.carlson@dhw.idaho.gov
- There will be a collection card fee increase associated with the addition of the new conditions
- There will be no changes made to the current specimen collection cards
- Please reach out to Stephanie Walters stephanie.walters1@dhw.idaho.gov with any questions regarding this announcement
CONTACT US:
For newborn screening program related inquiries, call the Idaho Newborn Screening Program: 1-208-334-5962
To get newborn screening results for patients with NO clinical concerns, please send a fax with the following information to 208-334-4946:
- First and last name of the child
- Child’s date of birth
- Mothers first and last name
For Health Care Providers requesting expediated laboratory results for patients WITH clinical concerns (that show as pending on SRV) call: 866-660-9050
Newborn screening kits
The Idaho Newborn Screening Program strongly encourages providers to order newborn screening kits online through Access Idaho.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for the delivery of kit orders.
If you have any questions about your order, contact the Maternal and Child Health Section at 208-334-5962 or email IdahoMCH@dhw.idaho.gov.
NOTE: The State of Idaho mandates two tests. See IDAPA 16.02.12- Newborn Screening for details. Babies can be screened up to 6 months of age. The specimen of a baby older than 6 months will only be accepted by written request from the public health lab.
Washington newborn screening kit options
Washington State Public Health Lab (newborn screening)
1610 NE 150th St
Shoreline, WA 98155
Phone: 206-418-5410
Toll free: 866-660-9050
Fax: 206-363-1610
Lab receiving hours
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday and Holiday (except Thanksgiving): 8 a.m. – noon
Sunday and Thanksgiving: Closed
* Newborn screening specimens received by 10 a.m will be set up for testing the same day.
Provider resources
Transfusions
Collect a specimen for the newborn screening test before giving blood to an infant. If there’s a transfusion before the first newborn screening specimen is collected, it can affect results for galactosemia, biotinidase deficiency, and hemoglobinopathies.
Parents who choose to not have newborn screening
- Review refusal form with parent
- Review newborn screening brochures provided by the Idaho Newborn Screening Program
- Have parents sign form stating their intention to refuse screening
450 W. State St., 4th Floor
Boise, ID 83702
United States