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Requirements for Newborn Screening Samples

All infants born in Florida must have a valid newborn screening specimen collected on the DOH 677 Florida specimen card.

For newborns that are not in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the guidelines for collection are 24 hours of age and 24 hours on protein feedings. A specimen must be collected at discharge irrespective of the age or feeding status of the newborn.

If at the time of collection the age and feeding status requirements are not met, then parents must be given written instructions that a repeat specimen must be collected within five days.

For newborns admitted to the NICU, the metabolic screen must be collected upon admission, prior to any transfusion, and a second screening specimen should be collected at seven days of age or just prior to discharge from the NICU. If the infant stays in the NICU for 21 days or longer, a third specimen should be obtained prior to discharge.

Proper Collection

Specimen cards for Medicaid-eligible children must include the Medicaid billing number to be considered a completed specimen card.

Specimen cards for patients with private insurance must include the name of the insurance company and policy number to be considered a completed specimen card.

For single births, do not enter birth order information. For multiple births, it is vital to include "A" for the first birth, "B" for the second birth, and so on.

Proper completion of the specimen card is required by state law.

A broad overview of the current testing procedure is available online courtesy of the state Newborn Screening Laboratory in Jacksonville.

Parental Refusal

A written refusal must be documented in the patient's medical record for any parent not wishing for their child to be screened. These refusal records may be inspected upon request of the Department during site visits or at any other time.

Birthing Facility Contact Signup

An online signup page allows each birthing facility to register their newborn screening coordinator with our program. Participation will create a closer working relationship that will foster quicker care for children with less ambiguity for staff.