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Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy

Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy

Doc type: Policy Directive
Compliance with this policy directive is mandatory.

Doc No.: PD2006_099

Functional Group - Sub Group:
Clinical/ Patient Services - Baby and child
Clinical/ Patient Services - Maternity

Summary
Hospitals with maternity units are to offer newborn bloodspot screening tests to all newborn babies, provide a copy of the pamphlet TESTS TO PROTECT YOUR BABY to parents and make sure they understand the contents and that they agree to the test. Newborn bloodspot screening detects serious disorders such as phenylketonuria, primary congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis and galactosaemia. Among the 92,000 babies born each year in NSW and ACT, about 90 babies are diagnosed with one of these conditions. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment by medication or diet can prevent death or serious complications including mental retardation, and can lead to significantly improved outcomes.

Date of Publication: 13 November 2006

Replaces:

Newborn Screening Guidelines [PD2005_566]

Author Branch: Statewide Services Development

This document applies to: Area Health Services/Chief Executive Governed Statutory Health Corporation, Public Hospitals

Audience: Maternity units, midwives, clinical and nursing staff, administration

Distributed to: Public Health System, Community Health Centres , Divisions of General Practice, Government Medical Officers, Health Professional Associations and Related Organisations, NSW Department of Health, Public Health Units, Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres , Tertiary Education Institutes

Review Date: 13 November 2011

File No: 04/1777

Status: Active

File link: Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy
File size: 105Kb