5 ccr 1005-4
NEWBORN SCREENING REGULATIONS
1.1	Under the authority contained in Sections 25-4-801 through 25-4-804 and 25-4-1001 through 25 4-1006 (not including Section 25-4-1004.7) C.R.S. (1998), the following rules and regulations are established.
1.2	Definitions:  The following terms, whenever used in or referred to in these regulations, shall have the following respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
“Department” shall mean the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
“Laboratory” shall mean the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Laboratory.
“Initial Newborn Screening Specimen” shall mean specimen collected from a newborn prior to discharge, but in all cases within seven days after birth for the purpose of conducting screening tests.
1.3	Procedures
1.3.1	Births in Institutions: The blood specimens of newborns born in institutions and all other specimens taken in conformity with the law and these regulations will be sent to the Laboratory for testing.  Follow up specimens from newborns with positive screening tests will be obtained and tested as necessary for proper diagnosis.
1.3.1.1	The hospital or institution or the chief medical staff officer or other person in charge thereof will cause an initial newborn screening specimen to be obtained from every newborn born therein as late as possible before discharge, but no later than 72 hours of age except as noted in 1.3.1.3.
1.3.1.2	The specimen shall consist of capillary blood collected by heel puncture or alternate method authorized by the Laboratory, directly upon special blotter paper furnished by the Laboratory.  All circles shall be saturated with blood from one side of the blotter only.  The specimen collector will provide, on the provided form, all information requested by the Laboratory.  The specimens, after air drying, will be forwarded to the Laboratory within 24 hours of collection, or at the earliest opportunity, by first class mail or other appropriate means.
1.3.1.3	Testing of premature and sick newborns: Premature newborns and sick newborns shall be tested at 1 week of age, or earlier if one of these defects or disorders is suspected.  If the newborn is to receive a BLOOD total exchange transfusion, then the specimen for newborn screening is to be obtained prior to this procedure.
1.3.2	Births Outside Institutions: The physician, nurse midwife, or other health professional attending a birth outside a hospital, shall be responsible for the collections and forwarding of the specimen described in 1.3.1.2 above. In the absence of a health professional, any other person attending the birth, or in the absence of any person so attending, the father or mother, or in the absence of the father and the inability of the mother, the person in charge of the premises where the birth occurred shall be responsible.
1.4	. . .