N.H. Code Admin. R. He-P 3008.04

Current through Register No. 19, May 9, 2024

Section He-P 3008.04 - Newborn DBS Screening

(a) Newborn screening shall be required for all infants born in the state of New Hampshire, in accordance with RSA 132:10-a, unless the parent(s) or guardian(s) object.

(b) The infant's health care provider shall inform the infant's parent or guardian of their right to opt out of the performance of the DBS testing per RSA 132:10-c.

(c) If the infant's parent or guardian objects to the performance of DBS testing, he or she shall provide a statement of dissent for refusal of newborn screening to the infant's healthcare provider or designee, subject to the following:

(1) A statement of dissent for refusal of newborn screening shall be signed and dated by the infant's parent or guardian and include:

a. Name of infant;

b. Birth date;

c. Street address, city, state, and zip code;

d. Hospital of birth;

e. Medical record number; and

f. The following understandings:

1. "I refuse to have blood taken from my baby to determine if he or she might have a disorder that can be detected through newborn screening.";

2. "I understand that State Law requires Newborn Screening for all infants born in New Hampshire.";

3. "I have been offered the Newborn Screening Brochure and discussed newborn screening with my baby's doctor, midwife, a member of the hospital nursing staff, or other healthcare provider.";

4. "I understand that newborn screening is done for the early detection of treatable disorders and that symptoms sometimes do not appear for several weeks or months.";

5. "I understand that if undetected and untreated these disorders can cause permanent damage to my child, including serious intellectual disability, growth failure and, in some cases, death."; and

6. "The benefits of newborn screening and the potential danger of not being screened have been explained to me. My decision to refuse the testing was made freely without force or encouragement by my doctor, my baby's doctor, hospital personnel or State officials.";

(2) The statement of dissent for refusal of newborn screening shall be included in the infant's medical record;

(3) The infant's healthcare provider or designee shall submit a copy of the statement of dissent for refusal of newborn screening to the NSP; and

(4) A copy of the statement of dissent for refusal of newborn screening shall be provided to the parent or guardian.

(d) Newborn screening tests shall be conducted as follows:

(1) The DBS shall be collected from the infant through the heel stick procedure and directly applied to an unexpired filter paper obtained from the NSP; and

(2) If the newborn screening tests are performed by a laboratory other than that used by the NSP, the infant's healthcare provider shall request all tests required by the NSP and provide a copy of these test results to the NSP.

(e) For homebirths, the attending physician, advanced practice registered nurse, certified midwife, or designee shall be responsible for conducting newborn screening, as described in (a) through (d) above, and the collection of the DBS specimen, as described in He-P 3008.05(a)-(h) below.

(f) The department shall restrict the quantity of filter papers made available to birth facilities during periods when changes to the program are being made.

N.H. Code Admin. R. He-P 3008.04

#8529, eff 12-23-05; ss by #9725, eff 7-1-10

Amended by Volume XXXVIII Number 41, Filed October 11, 2018, Proposed by #12632, Effective 9/28/2018, Expires 9/28/2028.

Amended by Number 6, Filed February 9, 2023, Proposed by #13530, Effective 1/25/2023, Expires 1/25/2033.