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Practitioner Information

Newborn Screening Provider Manual (2023)Forms

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.

 

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Critical Congenital Heart Disease

In June 2013, CCHD was officially added to the Alabama Newborn Screening Panel. However, many hospitals had voluntarily began 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, supports 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 the 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 to 334-293-7393 or call 1-800-543-3098 for more information.

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





Page last updated: June 12, 2023