Section 661.20  Collection of Blood and Submission of Specimens

For detailed and specific information regarding collection of blood and submission of specimens, refer to the current Illinois Department of Public Health Newborn Screening Practitioner's Manual. Newborn Screening shall be performed on a blood specimen that meets the following requirements for testing:

a)         All newborn infants shall have a blood specimen collected for testing as soon as possible after 24 hours of age.

b)         Infants who leave the hospital before they are at least 24 hours of age shall have a blood specimen collected prior to discharge.  The attending physician, or his or her designee, shall collect a second blood specimen for testing by 24 to 48 hours of age.

c)         If at all possible, every infant transferred to a second health care facility prior to 24 hours of age shall have a blood specimen collected prior to transfer.  If an infant is transferred before a specimen is collected, it is the responsibility of the first facility to inform the second facility of this fact.  It is then the responsibility of the second facility to collect and submit the specimen.

d)         Infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nursery shall have a blood specimen collected at 24 to 48 hours of age.  A second specimen shall be collected at 14 days of age or prior to discharge from the NICU or special care nursery, whichever situation precedes.

e)         In the event that an infant requires a blood transfusion prior to 24 hours of age, if at all possible, a blood specimen shall be collected prior to the transfusion.  If the initial specimen was collected post-transfusion, a second specimen shall be collected 48 hours post-transfusion, and a third specimen shall be collected three months following the last transfusion.

f)         For infants not born in hospitals or not admitted to a hospital during the neonatal period (under 28 days of age), a blood specimen shall be collected as soon as possible, but no earlier than 24 hours after birth.

g)         The completed collection form (see Section 661.40) with a blood specimen shall be submitted for testing to the Newborn Screening Section, Division of Laboratories, Illinois Department of Public Health, 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612.

h)         Due to the nature and severity of some metabolic and endocrine disorders, prompt collection and submission of specimens is critical.  Submission of specimens within 24 hours after collection is highly recommended, using the courier or mailing service designated by the Department.  Blood specimens shall be examined by the Department within five days after receipt.

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 13203, effective August 28, 2007)