Neonatal Blood Spot Collection, Forms, & Shipping

Collection of a Blood Spot for the Newborn Screening Lab

  1. Complete all information on the collection form. With a ballpoint pen, print all information requested on the form. Press hard. Include current address information. Do not contaminate filter paper circles by allowing the circles to come in contact with spillage or by touching before or after blood collection. Keep "Submitter Copy" if applicable.

  2. See Safe Puncture Area on a Baby Footphoto for puncture site. Avoid previous puncture sites or curvature of the heel. The shaded area is a safe area for the puncture site.

  3. Place infant's limb in a position to increase venous pressure.

  4. Warm site with a soft cloth, moistened with warm water up to 41°C, for three to five minutes.

  5. Cleanse the site with alcohol prep. Allow the area to air dry.

  6. Puncture heel (refer to diagram). Make puncture using sterile lancet with tip no longer than 2.5 millimetres or use the heel-stick device. Wipe away the first blood drop with a sterile gauze pad. Allow another large blood drop to form.

  7. Gently apply filter paper to a large drop of blood but not the heel. Allow blood to soak through and completely fill the preprinted circle. Apply blood to one side of filter paper only. (Either side may be chosen for the procedure.) Do not layer, or apply blood more than once for the same collection circle. Do not touch the heel to filter paper.

    Applying Blood to Filter Paper
  8. Fill remaining circles in the same manner as step 7 (allow a new large blood drop to form for each circle). If blood flow is diminished puncture a new sample site and repeat steps 5 through 7. Care of skin puncture site should be consistent with your institution's procedures.

  9. Allow blood spots to thoroughly air dry for at least 3 hours in a horizontal position away from heat and sunlight preferably on a rack. Avoid touching or smearing blood spots. Never superimpose one filter paper on another before thoroughly drying.

  10. Replace the white paper overlay over filter paper after blood spots have dried. Do not tear off or dispose of the paper overlay. Mail the specimen within 24 hours of collection.

Additional Information

 

Guidelines for the Shipment of Dried Bloodspot Specimens to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories

  • Allow blood spots to thoroughly air dry for at least 3 hours in a horizontal position, away from heat and sunlight. Avoid touching or smearing the blood spots. Do not allow the blood spots to come into contact with anything while drying.

  • After the blood spots are dry, cover the filter paper with the paper overlay attached to the collection kit (filter paper and forms). This is required by the U.S. Postal Service. Never superimpose one filter paper on another.

  • The collection kit needs to have the biohazard symbol attached in order to meet U.S. Postal Regulations. This symbol is printed on the paper overlay of the KHEL forms.

  • The dried blood spots must not be packaged in airtight, leak-proof plastic bags. The lack of air can cause heat to build up and the accumulation of moisture that can damage the blood spot test substances. Also, chemicals in the plastic could contaminate the blood spot-causing incorrect analytical test results.

  • The collection kit can be enclosed in a quality-bond paper envelope and securely sealed. The U.S. Postal Service refers to the outer envelope as a secondary container. This envelope must have sufficient strength to withstand ordinary postal processing.

  • Mail the specimen no later than 24 hours from the time of collection, in accordance with Kansas Administrative Regulation 28-4-504.

  • Do not batch specimens unless it spans a 24 hour period and is coordinated with courier pickups or mail service.

  • Do not put specimens in an outside dropbox.

  • Mail specimens to:
    KDHE / KHEL
    Neonatal Chemistry
    6810 SE Dwight Street
    Topeka, KS 66620