Newborn Screening - Use and Storage of Dried Blood Spots after NBS
Storage and Use of Newborn Screening Blood Spots
What are residual dried blood spots?
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Newborn Screening (NBS) Laboratory recommends completely filling all preprinted circles on the filter paper section of the Newborn Screening Collection Kit. This ensures that there will be enough blood to complete all initial newborn screening and any additional testing to verify results. The blood that remains after all testing is complete is the residual dried blood spots. These blood spots have important uses for both DSHS NBS Laboratory and public health research.
What happens to the residual blood spot card after testing?
By Texas Law (Health & Safety Code Sec. 33.018 (b)-(c)), DSHS NBS Laboratory retains the residual blood spots for up to two years and may use them during that time. The DSHS NBS Laboratory keeps residual blood spots in a secure place. DSHS NBS Laboratory will destroy the residual blood spots within two years unless the parent or guardian allows otherwise.
Uses include:
- Ensuring DSHS NBS Laboratory tests, equipment, and supplies are working correctly.
- Developing new tests for newborn screening.
- Studying diseases that affect public health as allowed by law.
If the parent or guardian selects OK on the Storage and Use of Newborn Screening Blood Spots form, DSHS NBS Laboratory will store the residual blood spots safely for up to 25 years, and researchers may use them for public health research outside of DSHS. This research may include the study of public health problems such as cancer, birth defects, or other diseases. Regardless of the parent’s choice, DSHS will NOT release any information that can identify them or their child outside of DSHS without additional parental written consent. View the data use policy and the list of research uses that DSHS has allowed.
Texas Law requires healthcare workers to distribute the Storage and Use of Newborn Screening Blood Spots form to the parents upon collecting each newborn screening specimen. Providers may ask parents to complete the Storage and Use of Newborn Screening Blood Spots form included in the Newborn Screening kit or to download and print the form below. It is not necessary to complete both forms; either one is sufficient. If the parent returns the form to the provider, the provider shall ensure the completed and signed form is promptly sent to DSHS as per TAC 25.1.37D, Rule 37.56. Return the form with a specimen shipment or mail it to the DSHS NBS Laboratory address listed on the form.
Texas Law governs DSHS’s storage of residual blood spots, as detailed in the chart below:
| Received by DSHS prior to May 27, 2009 | Specimen Collection Date | Specimen Collection Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
Blood Spot Storage after Completion of the Newborn Screening Tests
| DSHS destroyed all blood spots received prior to May 27, 2009, for which written consent to retain was not given. | DSHS stores all blood spots indefinitely, unless it receives a Directive to Destroy Newborn Screening Blood Spot Card Following Testing form. | DSHS stores all blood spots for up to 2 years and then destroys them unless the parent submits a completed Storage and Use of Newborn Screening Blood Spots form allowing for longer storage. |
Forms
Specimens collected June 1, 2012, or later:
Specimens collected May 27, 2009, through May 31, 2012
Parents can request destruction of their child's Newborn Screening Specimens collected May 27, 2009, through May 31, 2012, by submitting the form below to the DSHS.
- Use and Storage of Newborn Screening Blood Spot Cards / Directive to Destroy Newborn Screening Blood Spot Card Following Testing
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Additional Information
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