1. (a) Either a nonphysician attending the delivery of a newborn or any physician or health care practitioner attending a newborn within the first 30 days of life after delivery shall cause the screens to be performed according to these sections. When the baby is an inpatient in the hospital, the hospital shall ensure that the appropriate screens are done. When the baby is not in the hospital, the physician or health care practitioner who attends the newborn outside of the hospital shall be responsible for causing the appropriate screens to be done.
2. (b) A capillary blood specimen shall be collected by absorbing the blood onto target circles on a filter paper collection device. Other body fluids, or blood from the placenta, umbilical cord, or mother are not acceptable.
3. (c) Blood specimens must air-dry on a flat surface for at least four hours and must be mailed to the department within 24 hours after collection. Directions for handling blood specimens must be followed to avoid cross-contamination.
4. (d) Providers shall ensure that the identifying and demographic information sheet is complete and accurate when submitted to the department. Identifying information shall include contact information for the newborn's physician or health care practitioner to ensure ability to contact the physician or practitioner in case of an abnormal screen.

Source Note:The provisions of this §37.55 adopted to be effective November 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 8835.