Texas Newborn Screening (NBS) Program Upcoming Changes

Texas Health and Human Services Commission sent this bulletin at 02/23/2012 05:00 PM CST / Este e-mail ha sido enviado por Texas Health and Human Services Commission el 02/23/2012 05:00 PM CST

Newborn Screening (NBS) Program Upcoming Changes  

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) 

 

Changes to Healthcare Provider Requirements Regarding the Use and Storage of Newborn Screening Blood Spot Cards

 

Effective Date: On (not before) June 1, 2012. 

 

Why: House Bill 411 (82nd Session)  

 

What Changes?

  • Beginning on (not before) June 1, 2012, healthcare providers MUST distribute a new decision form to parents with each NBS specimen collection. An example of this new form is on the 2nd page of the attached PDF document.
  • The new decision form will be part (page 2) of the 2012 NBS specimen collection kits. The decision form will also be available (8½ X 11 format) on the DSHS NBS laboratory website.
  • Changes are also made to the Parent Information Form (page 1) of the 2012 NBS kits to include information about the new decision form. An example of the revised Parent Information Form is on the 3rd page of the attached PDF document.

 

Can healthcare providers start giving the new Decision forms to parents now?

NO. The information on the new forms is not valid for specimens collected prior to June 1, 2012. The healthcare provider is required to continue distributing the current Disclosure / Directive to Destroy form for all specimens collected prior to June 1, 2012.

 

What happens to the current kits on June 1, 2012?

Current 2010 and 2011 NBS collection kits can and should still be used after June 1, 2012, through the expiration date on the kit. Healthcare providers MUST discard page 2 and distribute the 8½ X 11 version of the new decision form to parents with each NBS specimen collection.  

 

 

Where can healthcare providers get the 8½ X 11 version of the new Decision form?

The 8½ X 11 version of the form will be made available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese on the DSHS NBS laboratory website (web address below) in May of 2012.

 

Can healthcare providers order the 2012 kits now?

No. The 2012 kits will not be available for distribution to healthcare providers until May of 2012. Healthcare providers are asked to use up any 2010 and 2011 NBS kits prior to moving to the new 2012 kits.

 

Additional Questions / Comments / Sign up for Email Notices

Call toll free: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 7333 or for local calls 512-776-7333

Email: NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.state.tx.us

Website: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/lab/newbornscreening.shtm