Practitioner Information

Forms

• American College of Medical Genetics ACT Sheets and Algorithms
• Child Find Referral Form
• Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Reporting Form
• Newborn Screening Reorder Form
• Provider Update Form
• Provider Lab Result Request Form
• Refusal Form
• Newborn Screening Reference Manual for Providers
• Secure Remote Viewer (SRV) Instructions
• Secure Remote Viewer (SRV) Registration Form
• Hearing Result Reporting Form

Alabama Bureau of Clinical Laboratories

The Alabama Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL) performs all newborn screening tests in the state and should be contacted regarding specimen collection or filter forms. If more specimen kits are needed, please complete and submit the Reorder Form. You may refer to the Newborn Screening Blood Collection Guidelines for instructions regarding specimen collection.

In addition, please ensure that your contact information remains current with the state lab. You may update it at any time by completing the Newborn Screening Provider Update Form.

The BCL Newborn Screening Lab has provided the Secure Remote Viewer (SRV), a mechanism for providers to access their patient's newborn screening results. Providers must register for Secure Remote Viewer to access newborn screening results. Providers can register for SRV by completing the registration form and following the SRV instructions.

American College of Medical Genetics - ACT Sheets and Algorithms

The American College of Medical Genetics has newborn screening condition resources for health care providers looking for information on genetic conditions (identified through newborn screening and beyond) to help inform clinical decision making. The ACT Sheets were developed by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks. 

Given the rarity of many genetic conditions, ACT Sheets and algorithms are excellent refreshers on newborn screening conditions, diagnoses, and next steps for patients.  The ACT Sheets include links to informational resources to allow the health professional to obtain additional information, if needed.  

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD)

In June 2013, CCHD was officially added to the Alabama Newborn Screening Panel. However, many hospitals had voluntarily begun screening in 2012. According to Dr. Wally F. Carlo, M.D., Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, "As we move ahead with pulse oximetry screening, many hurdles remain. We need to ensure reporting of failed screens to Public Health and implement data tracking and quality assurance methods. I applaud the efforts of the Alabama Department of Public Health, hospitals around the state, and others for their efforts, which are benefiting our state's infants."

The Alabama Newborn Screening Program provided a written copy of the Hospital Guidelines for Implementing Pulse Oximetry Screening (6MB) in 2012 to all Alabama birthing facilities.

Alabama Early Intervention System (AEIS)

Early intervention is a coordinated, family-focused system of resource access, support, and services for eligible infants and toddlers, ages birth to 3 years who have developmental delays. AEIS is a statewide system that offers eligible families the opportunity to receive appropriate services, including assistive technology, audiology, family therapy, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, psychological services, service coordination, special instruction, social work, speech-language pathology, medical services, transportation, vision and health services, and physical therapy. AEIS helps families learn about resources, supports, and services that are available and how to care for a child who has special needs.

If a child in your care is in need of these services, complete the Child Find Referral Form and fax it to 334-293-7393 or call 1-800-543-3098 for more information.

Resources for Sickle Cell Disease and Trait

The Alabama Newborn Screening Program has partnered with Community Based Sickle Cell Organizations throughout the state who provide counseling services as well as other services to families of newborns identified with sickle cell disease or trait.

Please be sure to share this valuable resource with families in your practice who have a child with sickle cell disease or trait. You may also visit the Sickle Cell Association of America website for additional resources.

Obstetric Provider Information

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published an article, Newborn Screening and the Obstetrician, which recommends as a best practice to educate parents about the importance of newborn screening for heritable and congenital disorders prior to delivery. According to the authors of this article, obstetric providers should, at some time during pregnancy, review the basic process of newborn screening with parents to prepare them for newborn screening in the neonatal period. In addition, it is encouraged that verbal discussion and distribution of written materials be incorporated.

Obstetric providers play a significant role in educating expectant parents about newborn screening and the life-saving impact that it can have on infants affected by screened disorders. Below are some resources available for obstetric, as well as pediatric, providers.

Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics - Introduction to Newborn Screening Fact Sheets
• American Academy of Pediatrics - Newborn Screening Expands: Recommendations for Medical Homes
• AAP Health Initiative: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
• Baby's First Test: Critical Congenital Heart Disease
• CDC Grand Rounds: Newborn Screening and Improved Outcomes
• Children's National Medical Center Congenital Heart Disease Screening Program Overview
• Community Based Sickle Cell Organizations
• Cystic Fibrosis Infographic for Healthcare Providers
• Delivering You the Facts: What Parents Should Know About Newborn Screening
• Guide for Prenatal Educators
• HCU (Homocystinuria) Network America
• Letters to Health Care Providers
• Prenatal and Newborn Screening Pamphlet
• Recommended Uniform Screening Panel Core Conditions (RUSP)
• Refusal Form for Newborn Screening
• Reporting Form for Outpatient Hearing Screen/ Diagnostic Audiological Evaluation
• Severe Combined Immunodeficiency: Newborn Screening Could Detect Bubble Boy Illness Early
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.