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Newborn Screening Program Updates

Sign Up to Receive Program Updates

To more efficiently communicate with all clients, the Oregon Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program is collecting email addresses for the facilities and providers that submit specimens to our laboratory. This list is intended to share program information and updates, not laboratory results. To sign up, complete our brief online form.

Changes to Program Rules

The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program (NWRNBS Program) will implement changes to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) chapter 333, division 24 on November 20, 2024.

The rule changes will update:
  • The rules for collection of samples on babies <2000 grams or <34 weeks gestational age. This aligns with nationwide practices for newborn screening.
  • Reporting to OSPHL of confirmatory test results. This will provide feedback on the accuracy of the screening test.
  • Reporting of newborn screening conditions that were not detected by the screen. This will provide the NWRNBS Program with knowledge of cases missed by newborn screening.
  • The length of time OSPHL keeps specimens from 18 to 12 months.
  • The process for fee exemption for newborn screening to anyone who cannot pay for screening. This rule will then align with statute.
  • The descriptions for how testing is performed to detect various conditions.
In addition, references to the Practitioner's Manual will be removed from OAR to provide the program with the flexibility to update the Practitioner's Manual as information and clinical practice recommendations change.

Laboratory Data Systems Replacement Project

Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) operates using multiple legacy laboratory information management systems (LIMS). To improve laboratory work flows and services for clients, OSPHL has undertaken the large project to identify and implement the best possible LIMS available for our lab. At this time, we anticipate system implementation will occur sometime in 2025. For more information about the project and how it may affect your work with us, please visit our OSPHL Data Improvement Projects website.

Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program Notices

New Newborn Bloodspot Screening Cards Coming in 2025!
The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program plans to roll out an updated specimen collection card in early 2025. The updated card has been redesigned to be more user friendly and improve data collection. 

Please review the following documents for more information about the new card design:

Updated Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism Screening Algorithm- Effective January 6, 2025


Updated Screening Guidelines - Effective May 20, 2024

The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program has updated the specimen collection guidelines for babies who are delivered early or have low birth weight. These changes are being made to align specimen collection with best practices published by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Guidelines.

Complete information can be found in our letter to medical providers (pdf) and on our medical providers website. Please contact us with questions. 


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