Test Name: Heel stick for neonatal screening test
Principle/ Purpose of Test
Newborn screening is among the most important public health programs. The newborn screening programs test the babies for the disorders that are not apparent at birth. The disorders may be due to inheritance, infections, or by a medical problem of the mother. The lack of identification and treatment of the disorders soon after birth may lead to mental retardation, severe illnesses, and premature death. The common method of the newborn screening is the heel stick test that involves the collection of a blood sample from the newborn babies one to two days after birth. A second sample is taken when the child is two weeks old, and the results of the laboratory tests should be within the expected range. The blood is drawn from the heel, hence the name heel stick.
The significance of the blood screening is to identify the problems in the way the baby absorbs nutrients and detects the blood and hormone related illnesses. Some of the diseases require immediate treatment to keep the baby safe and healthy.
Reagents and Equipment required in the Collection of the Blood Specimen
1. A sterile lancet, having a tip that does not exceed 2.0 millimeters in length
The attendance nurse can use the standardized incision …show more content…
In such cases, the practitioner may avoid screening upon consent by the parent. However, the attending physician requires submitting a screening blood collection form with all the demographic information but lacking a blood sample. There should be written documentation of the reason for a parental decline to the screening. The form should have an explanation of the importance of newborn screening. The screening administered helps to shed light on the cause of the medical condition and also the remaining blood spots may be useful for future