Since more than 30 conditions are screened using the dried blood spots, we need the circles to be filled out as evenly and completely as possible to ensure there is enough sample.
Prior to collecting a specimen, warm up the baby’s heel with a heel warmer or warm washcloth and position the leg lower than the heart. These steps help make the blood flow better and collection easier.
Once you have made the heel stick, wipe away the first drop of blood with a sterile gauze pad, and allow another large drop to form. Use either the front or the back of card (only apply to one side) and touch the first circle of the card gently against the drop, allowing it to soak in. The blood needs to soak all the way through to the other side of the card.
You can avoid layering of the sample by applying only one good drop of blood per circle. Don’t touch baby’s heel to the card or use a capillary tube to transfer the blood! This causes the paper to become “roughed up”, making the spot unsatisfactory for testing.
If you’re having trouble getting good spots, don’t panic! Grab a second card and try filling a few more circles (if you can still get drops of blood). Be sure to fill out the second card completely with the same collection date and time as the first and send both cards together.
After collection is complete allow the specimen to dry flat before closing the flap.
For a complete guide on collecting a newborn screen you can check out CLSI’s (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) quick guide on collecting an acceptable blood spot specimen.
https://clsi.org/search/?f=sw&q=blood+spot+collection
https://clsi.org/search/?f=sw&q=blood+spot+collection+quick+guide
It is equally important to send the dried blood card to the Public Health Laboratory within 24 hours of collection. The sooner conditions are discovered, the sooner baby can receive intervention.
We have courier pick up locations in all major Montana cities. Even midwives can drop their samples at one of these locations for transport. You can find the locations and pick-up times on our website: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/LaboratoryServices/CourierRoutesSampleDelivery/index
Other helpful information, including links to Montana’s Administrative Rules concerning newborn screening, can be found on our website: (https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/LaboratoryServices/NewbornScreening)
Congratulations, you're part of the newborn screening team!