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Sample Collection
How do I take an NBS sample?
Whose responsibility is it to obtain the NBS sample?
An infant is going to be discharged prior to 24 hrs. Should I take a NBS?
An infant is going to be transfused. Should I take the NBS prior to the transfusion?
An infant has received FFP (fresh frozen plasma) and platelets. Does this constitute a blood transfusion?
The infant’s parents are refusing the NBS. What should I do?
An infant is premature. When should I take the NBS?
The infant is being adopted. Whose demographic information should be listed in the “mother” section?
The infant is in the care of Children’s Aid Society (CAS). What information should I put in the “mother” section?
An infant who is several months old has not had a NBS. Can I take a NBS for this baby?
An infant is going to be transferred to another hospital. Should we do a NBS?
Sample Transportation
Can I put the NBS samples in a plastic bag in the mailing envelope?
How often should we send in NBS samples?
How do I order more NBS cards and Purolator Express Paks?
How do I take an NBS sample?
Whose responsibility is it to obtain the NBS sample?
It is the responsibility of the hospital/midwifery practice in which the infant is born to obtain the NBS. All sample repeat requests go to the original submitter.
An infant is going to be discharged prior to 24 hrs. Should I take a NBS?
Yes. A NBS sample should be taken on every infant prior to discharge. If this happens before 24 hours, parents should be informed that a repeat NBS after 24 hours must be done and informed how to complete the NBS.
An infant is going to be transfused. Should I take the NBS prior to the transfusion?
Yes. If possible, it is best to take the NBS prior to a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions are known to affect the results of hemoglobin and galactosemia screens. If the NBS has been taken after a blood transfusion, a repeat sample should be taken in 4 months to complete screening.
An infant has received FFP (fresh frozen plasma) and platelets. Does this constitute a blood transfusion?
This is not considered a blood transfusion for NBS purposes. Provided that an infant has not received red blood cells, you may indicate “no” for transfusion status.
The infant’s parents are refusing the NBS. What should I do?
If you have thoroughly explained NBS to the parents and they choose to decline the test, it is extremely important to document it in the infant’s records. You may wish to have the parents sign a "Refusal of Treatment" form. At this time, there is no formal method in place to inform Newborn Screening Ontario that a family has declined testing.
An infant is premature. When should I take the NBS?
For infants who are premature (gestational age at birth is less than 37 weeks) it is recommended that the NBS is done after 5 days of life; however, if an infant will be discharged prior to this time, we recommend taking the NBS before discharge.
The infant is being adopted. Whose demographic information should be listed in the “mother” section?
Please indicate that the infant is being adopted and include the adoptive mother’s information (as she will be caring for the infant and would be the person to contact in the event the infant screened positive). The new version of the Blood Dot Card has a check box for "Adoption."
The infant is in the care of Children’s Aid Society (CAS). What information should I put in the “mother” section?
Please clearly indicate that the infant is in CAS care and provide the infant’s caseworker’s name and contact phone number (the caseworker would be the person to contact in the event the infant screened positive). The new version of the Blood Dot Card has a check box for "CAS care."
Can I put the NBS samples in a plastic bag in the mailing envelope?
No. It is not standard practice to place the cards in a plastic bag as condensation can damage the samples. The new NBS envelopes are made of Tyvek and are thus water resistant.
How often should we send in NBS samples?
Daily. Newborn screening samples can be gathered together and sent daily to the NBS Laboratory in one of the prepaid Canada Post ExpressPost envelopes that have been provided to each submitter. Please do not wait several days to send in the NBS sample. Delays could have serious consequences for affected infants and may render the sample unsatisfactory, requiring a repeat NBS and further delaying the process.
How do I order more NBS cards and Purolator Express Paks?
We have entered into a relationship with VWR International to provide logistics and distribution services for the NBS cards. Purolator provides the NBS envelopes. For ordering instructions, please click here.
An infant who is several months old has not had a NBS. Can I take a NBS for this baby?
Yes. However, the newborn screen is the most accurate in the newborn period and most of the conditions screened for become apparent in early infancy.
An infant is going to be transferred to another hospital. Should we do a NBS?
Yes. It is important to take a NBS and to note this in the information sent to the hospital.
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