Newborn Metabolic Screen (PKU) (Initial Request)

Resources:

• WA DOH Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Instructions
• WA DOH Newborn Screening Specimen Quality Examples
• WA DOH Guide to Completing Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Cards

Materials: Newborn Screening Collection Cards are available through Materials Management. Specify Stock Item: #61118.

Collection:

• Cleanse the site with a sterile alcohol pad and allow alcohol to dry completely.
• Perform capillary puncture using a sterile lancet. Wipe the first drop of blood with a sterile guaze pad.
• Fold back the protective flap on the card to expose filter paper. Do not touch or handle the filter paper before or after applying blood.
• Lightly touch filter paper to the large blood drop, allowing blood to soak through the filter paper and saturate the circle completely with a single application. Apply blood to one side of the paper only.
• Very gentle, intermittent pressure may be applied to the area surrounding the puncture site. Do not squeeze the puncture site.
• Continue with collection until all 5 circles are filled with blood.
• Allow collection card to dry completely on a clean, dry, non-absorbent surface for a minimum of 4 hours, then replace the protective flap and store in the provided envelope.
  • Do not store samples in plastic.

Unacceptable Samples: Incomplete blood saturation of filter paper, blood applied to both sides of filter paper, oversaturation/layering of blood on filter paper, capillary tube used to apply blood to filter paper, specimens exposed to high temperatures, contamination or dilution of sample, insufficient quantity of sample, samples stored in sealed plastic.

SPS: Orders must be received in Sunquest prior to forwarding the sample to Sendouts. Store at ambient temperature while awaiting transport.

Sendouts:

• Review collection card for accuracy and fill in any missing information.
  • Washington State Facility ID Directories
• Write the accession number in the "Miscellaneous Information" box and affix a small CID label to the card in an area that doesn't obstruct any clinical information.
• Ensuring that the flap is closed, make a photocopy of the front of the card for subsequent scanning into OnBase.
• Package card in provided envelope (one specimen per envelope). Multiple envelopes may be included in the same larger envelope/package.
• Send to the State Metabolic Screening Lab within 24 hours of obtaining sample (or as soon as possible).
  • UW-MT: Send Mon-Fri via UW Courier. Samples received after courier pickup on Friday may be sent Monday.
  • HMC: Forward samples to UW-MT for courier pickup.
• Specimens must be received by the state newborn screening lab within 72 hours of collection (excluding Sundays and holidays).

Refusal of Testing: In the instance that parents refuse testing, a parental or guardian signature is required on the reverse side of the completed newborn screening card. As with a blood specimen, the refusal signature must be obtained within 48 hours of birth, and the card must be received by the Newborn Screening Laboratory within 72 hours of birth.

Specimen Retention: The Newborn Screening Program retains all specimen cards for 21 years after the birth of the child.