Analysis of the blood specimens for the required screens must be performed by the department or the department designee. The department or the department designee is responsible for identifying and implementing proper laboratory procedures for the screens required in §37.53 of this title (relating to Disorders for Which Screens Are Required).

1. (1) The analysis of initial blood specimens and the analysis of the follow-up blood specimens are included in these responsibilities.
2. (2) The criteria for referring a newborn with an abnormal screen are dependent upon the laboratory procedures employed by the department or the department's designee in performing the analysis of the blood specimens. Therefore, the department is responsible for identifying and implementing the referral criteria based upon the laboratory procedures selected by the department for the analysis.
3. (3) Upon completion of the laboratory determination by the department, laboratory results shall be mailed to the provider who submitted the blood specimen, and the laboratory results shall be available by telephone and other electronic means. The department shall establish a written policy for communicating the laboratory results.

Source Note:The provisions of this §37.57 adopted to be effective November 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 8835.