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 not only responsible for collection and handling of specimens for every infant in their care, but also parent education and prompt action on incomplete or abnormal results referred to them. In the event 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
NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM IS CHANGING LABORATORIES
The Newborn Screening Program (NBS) is changing our contracted laboratory to improve timeliness of screening and to be more responsive in our newborn screening activities.
What you need to know:
- New laboratory- Washington State Laboratory
- Effective date of April 1, 2021
- Collection kit cost increase ($58.20 for single kit and $116.40 for double or triple (NICU only) kits
- Services will continue as they are now through March 31, 2021.
- Screening process will remain the same: lance newborn’s heel and place on filter paper
- but there will be 5 blood spots instead of 4
- A WebEx meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 27th at 12:00 pm MST to provide additional information. Invitations will be emailed to our NBS contact list. To be added to our NBS contact list, email stephanie.walters1@dhw.idaho.gov
effective feburary 15th, online orders for nbs kits will be submitted to washington state lab. if you need oregon state lab nbs kits, please fax order form to 208-334-4946
If you did not receive an email notification about this announcement, please contact Stephanie Walters, Clinical Coordinator, at stephanie.walters1@dhw.idaho.gov, to add your email to the Newborn Screening Program contact list and receive important announcements.
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, please contact the MCH 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 Oregon State Public Health Lab.
Newborn screening kit options
- To order kits, call 1-208-334-5962
- The forms are bar coded in order to link the first form with the second form.
- Second blood spot form is not to be used as a first blood spot for another client.
- Parents need to be instructed on the importance of bringing the second blood spot form with them to their first newborns appointment or lab visit.
- Double kits are 2-part filter paper blood spot forms.
- To order kits, 1-208-334-5962
- The forms are bar coded in order to link the first form with the second form.
- Second blood spot form is not to be used as a first blood spot for another client.
- Parents need to be instructed on the importance of bringing the second blood spot form with them to their first newborns appointment or lab visit.
- Used in the newborn intensive care units.
- These forms can be purchased by Newborn Intensive Care Units only.
- To order kits, 1-208-334-5962
- Cost $105 - No additional fee for triple kits.
Provider resources
Transfusions
Collect a specimen for the Newborn Screening test before giving blood to an infant Why? If there’s a transfusion before the first newborn screening specimen is collected, it can affect results for Galactosemia, Biotinidase Deficiency, and Hemoglobinopathies.
Parents That Choose Not To Have Newborn Screening
- Review refusal form with parent.
- Review newborn Screening brochures provided by the State of Idaho Newborn Screening Program.
- Have parents sign refusal form stating their intention to refuse screening.
PO Box 83720 (Mailing)
550 W. State St. (Shipping)
Boise, ID 83720-0036
United States