Dear Newborn Screening Partner,

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to promoting the health of newborns delivered in Iowa. The Iowa Newborn Screening Program (INSP) is introducing a new dried bloodspot collection card design in a live webinar hosted on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.–noon, Central time. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the State Hygienic Laboratory webpage for those who are unable to attend the webinar.

Please register for the webinar at https://uiowa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7G-Jg89UTBOsmO4LD1m0JA.

Key updates to be covered in the webinar:

1. New Manufacturing Vendor: The INSP has selected Eastern Business Forms as the new vendor for the collection card. This change aims to improve the absorption times for blood collection, facilitating easier and more efficient sample collection.
2. Transition to 7-Spot Card: The program is moving to a 7-spot collection card, which has already been successfully adopted by states like South Carolina. Notably, South Carolina experienced a 42% decrease in unsatisfactory rates after implementing the 7- spot card.
3. Inclusion of Race and Ethnicity: The new collection card will feature check boxes for race and ethnicity. This addition is crucial for tracking population trends and ensuring equitable care for underserved populations.
4. Importance of Accurate Information: The document emphasizes the necessity of providing complete and accurate information on the collection card. Missing or incorrect details can lead to delays and additional work for both submitters and screening staff.
5. Timely Interactions with Care Providers and Parents: Including critical information fields, such as the primary care provider’s name and phone number, is vital for ensuring prompt communication in the event of a positive screening result. Having the parent’s phone number will enable staff to contact the parent in emergent situations if the provider cannot be contacted, or if the family has been displaced.
6. Integration with SHL's New LIMS: The interactions with the State Hygienic Laboratory's (SHL) new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Open Elis, will remain unchanged for the time being. This means that current electronic messaging interfaces will continue to function as they have.
7. Shipping of New Cards: The new collection cards will begin shipping this week. A summary sheet of the discussed items will be included in all supply orders to ensure that all stakeholders are informed.
    

Next Steps:

• Please ensure that your team is aware of these changes and is prepared to implement the new collection card once received.
• Review the updated instructions and resources provided to facilitate a smooth transition and maintain high-quality bloodspot submissions.
   

If you have any questions or need further clarification on any of the points mentioned, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Newborn screening program questions:

Iowa Newborn Screening Follow-up Program
319-384-5097
1-866-890-5965
iowanewbornscreening@healthcare.uiowa.edu

Laboratory questions:

Kenneth Coursey
State Hygienic Laboratory Clinical Lab Supervisor, INSP Laboratory
515-725-1632
kenneth-coursey@uiowa.edu

Administrative questions:

Kimberly Noble Piper
Center for Congenital and Inherited Disorders
Division of Public Health
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
1-833-496-8040
kimberly.noblepiper@hhs.iowa.gov

Thank you for your attention to these important updates.

Best regards,

Sierra Daniels

Sierra Daniels
SHL Newborn Screening Program Coordinator, Client Services Supervisor
sierra-daniels@uiowa.edu

Event links:

• Webinar Recording
• Shipment Flier
• Webinar Flier