NEWBORN SCREENING (NBS) HEEL PRICK - Newborn screening filter paper collection
METHOD form with protective envelope
- A blood collection procedure done on Bleeding procedure:
newborns. - Preferred puncture site
- It consists of making a pinprick puncture in - Warm foot of infant if necessary
one heel of the newborn to collect their - Disinfect site with alcohol pads and allow to
blood. dry
- This technique is used frequently as the - Puncture skin with one continuous motion
main way to collect blood from neonates. using sterile sticking device (<2mm depth)
TIMING OF THE SPECIMEN COLLECTION - Wipe away and discard first drop of blood
- After 24 hours of birth - Allow 2nd drop of blood to form by the
- 48 hours to 72 hours spontaneous free flow of blood.
- 7 days (NICU) COLLECTING BLOOD SPOTS
- Collect prior to blood transfusion - Before collecting the blood, fold back the
COMPLETING THE NEWBORN SCREENING protective flap to expose the filter paper
CARD - Lightly touch the filter paper against a large
Infant Information: drop of blood and allow enough blood to
- Baby’s name soak through to completely fill the circle.
- Gestational age - If blood flow is diminished, repeat the
- Address bleeding procedure with sterile equipment.
- Date of birth - Once all the circles have been filled, press a
- Date of collection sterile gauze pad to the puncture site and
- Time of collection hold the infant’s foot above the level of the
- Patient/hospital ID# heart until bleeding has stopped.
- Birth order - Dry the blood spots on a level, non-
- Sex absorptive surface away from direct sunlight
- TPN and at room temperature for at least 4
- Type of formula hours.
- Weight at collection - After blood spots are completely dry,
- Hospital of birth replace the protective flap over the
- Infant blood transfusion specimen and place form in the protective
Mother Information: envelope (do not use plastic) and mail to
- Mother’s name Laboratory within 24 hours.
- Social Security Number GUIDELINES TO PREVENT ERRORS
- Telephone number or Contact number - Do not touch any part of the filter paper
- Date of birth circles before, during, or after collection.
Sender Information: - Collect the specimen on the proper
- Sender’s name Newborn Screening collection form.
- Telephone number - Complete all the demographic data. This
- Address information is vital for interpretation of
HEEL PRICK PROCEDURE newborn screening results and for
Materials needed: identification and location of infants for
- Gloves follow-up of abnormal test results.
- 70% Isopropyl alcohol pads A. Always note any transfusion of red blood
- Dry sterile gauze pads cells.
- Sterile sticking device with a point >2mm in B. Mark TPN feeding if TPN is being
depth (lancets) administered at time of collection.
METHOD form with protective envelope
- A blood collection procedure done on Bleeding procedure:
newborns. - Preferred puncture site
- It consists of making a pinprick puncture in - Warm foot of infant if necessary
one heel of the newborn to collect their - Disinfect site with alcohol pads and allow to
blood. dry
- This technique is used frequently as the - Puncture skin with one continuous motion
main way to collect blood from neonates. using sterile sticking device (<2mm depth)
TIMING OF THE SPECIMEN COLLECTION - Wipe away and discard first drop of blood
- After 24 hours of birth - Allow 2nd drop of blood to form by the
- 48 hours to 72 hours spontaneous free flow of blood.
- 7 days (NICU) COLLECTING BLOOD SPOTS
- Collect prior to blood transfusion - Before collecting the blood, fold back the
COMPLETING THE NEWBORN SCREENING protective flap to expose the filter paper
CARD - Lightly touch the filter paper against a large
Infant Information: drop of blood and allow enough blood to
- Baby’s name soak through to completely fill the circle.
- Gestational age - If blood flow is diminished, repeat the
- Address bleeding procedure with sterile equipment.
- Date of birth - Once all the circles have been filled, press a
- Date of collection sterile gauze pad to the puncture site and
- Time of collection hold the infant’s foot above the level of the
- Patient/hospital ID# heart until bleeding has stopped.
- Birth order - Dry the blood spots on a level, non-
- Sex absorptive surface away from direct sunlight
- TPN and at room temperature for at least 4
- Type of formula hours.
- Weight at collection - After blood spots are completely dry,
- Hospital of birth replace the protective flap over the
- Infant blood transfusion specimen and place form in the protective
Mother Information: envelope (do not use plastic) and mail to
- Mother’s name Laboratory within 24 hours.
- Social Security Number GUIDELINES TO PREVENT ERRORS
- Telephone number or Contact number - Do not touch any part of the filter paper
- Date of birth circles before, during, or after collection.
Sender Information: - Collect the specimen on the proper
- Sender’s name Newborn Screening collection form.
- Telephone number - Complete all the demographic data. This
- Address information is vital for interpretation of
HEEL PRICK PROCEDURE newborn screening results and for
Materials needed: identification and location of infants for
- Gloves follow-up of abnormal test results.
- 70% Isopropyl alcohol pads A. Always note any transfusion of red blood
- Dry sterile gauze pads cells.
- Sterile sticking device with a point >2mm in B. Mark TPN feeding if TPN is being
depth (lancets) administered at time of collection.
