1882 Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Program; addition of critical congenital heart defect testing to the follow-up screening panel

Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Program; Addition of Critical Congenital Heart Defect Testing to the Follow-Up Screening Panel

[44 Pa.B. 5808]
[Saturday, September 6, 2014]

 The Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Program (Program), previously established under the Newborn Child Testing Act (35 P. S. §§ 621—625), now requires newborn child oximetry screening as a result of the recent passage of the Newborn Child Pulse Oximetry Screening Act (act) (11 P. S. §§ 878.1—878.5). Under the act, a birthing facility is required to perform critical congenital heart defect (CCHD) screening using pulse oximetry on a newborn child in its care before discharge from the birthing facility. If a health care practitioner delivers a newborn child other than in a birthing facility and the newborn child is discharged prior to 24 hours of age, then the health care practitioner shall perform or cause to be performed CCHD screening using pulse oximetry within 48 hours of birth. The act will be effective September 30, 2014.

 Facilities are to continue reporting CCHD screening results to the Department of Health's (Department) Program. Reiteration of applicable procedures and instructions for testing and reporting can be found at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/infant---newborn's_health/14173/newborn_screening_and_follow_up_homepage/558183. Failure to comply with this protocol will be referred to the appropriate licensure board within the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and to the Department's Bureau of Facility Licensure and Certification for investigation and possible sanctions.

 Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Luann Cartwright, Public Health Program Manager, Division of Newborn Screening and Genetics, 7th Floor East Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [phone]. Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this document (forexample, large print, audio tape or Braille) should contact Luann Cartwright to make the necessary arrangements.

MICHAEL WOLF, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-1882. Filed for public inspection September 5, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]