Newborn Screening for Providers

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.

Important Announcement
Announcement

UPDATES TO THE ONLINE ORDER FORM AND PAPER ORDER FORM FOR NEWBORN SCREENING KITS  

The online order form and the paper order form have been updated with minor changes, including an option to order additional newborn screening booklets. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes or need assistance completing either form, please contact the Idaho Newborn Screening Program at 208-334-5962 or via email at IdahoMCH@dhw.idaho.gov

 
CONTACT US: 

For newborn screening program related inquiries, call the Idaho Newborn Screening Program: 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 expedited 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 two to three 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.

Order newborn screening kits online

Washington newborn screening kit options

Washington State Public Health Lab information

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.

Single kits: $60.35
Double kits: $120.70
Triple kits: $120.70 (NICU Only)

Provider resources

PDF Document
Provides a wealth of information for the newborn screening practitioner including screening essentials, conditions included in the screening panel, summary of conditions, criteria for requesting follow-up specimens, screening practices, recommendations for specimen collection, unsatisfactory specimens, reporting results, problems in screening practice, educational services, fees and screening kit information, exemptions, and more.
Link to Webpage
A comprehensive list of all of the conditions and disorders the newborn screening program tests for.
Document
Instructions on filling out the newborn screening Washington collection kit.
PowerPoint presentation
How to properly collect a bloodspot specimen, handle, and ship specimens to the Newborn Screening Program.
PowerPoint presentation
PowerPoint Slides for the NBS lab transition Q&A webinar.
YouTube video
On Jan 27, 2021 the NBS program hosted an informational webinar to discuss the transition to Washington State Public Health Laboratory. Please watch for more information.
Document
To access newborn screening results online, please refer to the documents found here.
YouTube video
The Idaho Newborn Screening Program informational webinar regarding ID Directory, shipping, and accessing NBS results from Washington state lab.
PowerPoint presentation
The PowerPoint slides for the Idaho Newborn Screening Program informational webinar regarding ID Directory, shipping, and accessing NBS results from Washington state lab.
Document
Toolkit from Baby's First Test to help understand and communicate newborn screening results.
Additional procedures

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

  1. Should be provided with educational material regarding blood spot newborn screening
  2. Review the risk and benefits of blood spot newborn screening
  3. Sign a declination form for religious objection for the blood spot newborn screening
  4. Educate parents that a blood spot newborn screening can be collected up to 6 months of age
  5. Counsel parents about the Residual Blood Spot Specimen Return Form
Contact us
Idaho Newborn Screening Program
Address

450 W. State St., 4th Floor
Boise, ID 83702
United States

Phone