Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Screening can detect heart diseases in newborns that often have no other symptoms. It is a simple bedside test to determine the amount of oxygen in a baby's blood. Low levels of oxygen in the blood can be a sign of a congenital heart defect. CCHD screening is a part of the national Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP).

Health & Prevention

All Birthing Facilities and Midwives in Kansas are encouraged to screen and report CCHD results via the electronic birth certificate (EBC).

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) launched a quality initiative and program to increase awareness of Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) and ensure that all babies in Kansas are being screened for CCHD after birth. The program's goals also include assurance of prompt care, connection to resources, long-term follow-up, and improvement of overall health outcomes for infants with CCHD.

  • KDHE staff began training birthing facilities on the implementation of CCHD screening in May 2014. The training consists of KDHE Newborn Screening (NBS) staff visiting the birthing facility in person and providing education, resources, technical assistance and support. This will support the overall goal of 100% of babies being screened in Kansas for CCHD.
  • A CCHD Work Group was formed with members representing the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, and the Kansas Hospital Association along with heart specialists, birthing facilities, and passionate CCHD families across the state. This group meets regularly to discuss updates in CCHD efforts across Kansas.
  • As of February 2016, facilities can now report screening results via the electronic birth certificate (EBC). Unit clerks, nursing staff, and midwives across the state are also able to report CCHD data via the birth certificate with a Kansas VRV Authorization Request Form.

For training or technical assistance with reporting CCHD data via the EBC, contact the Newborn Screening Educator at 785-296-8212.

  1. Documents
  2. Links

Helpful Documents

  1. CCHD Algorithm (PDF)
  2. CCHD Reporting Form (PDF)
  3. CCHD Screening Table (PDF)
  4. Kansas Parents We Need Your Story (PDF)
  5. Kansas VRV Authorization Request Form (PDF)
  6. Parent Brochure (PDF)
  7. QI Flyer (Spring 2014) (PDF)
  8. QI Poster (Fall 2015) (PDF)
  9. QI Project Update (Fall 2016) (PDF)