What happens to the blood spot card after the newborn screening tests are done?
After the tests are done, a very small amount of dried blood is left on the card. The amount left depends on how much blood was collected and whether more tests were needed to make sure the results were accurate. The amount left is usually smaller than a dime. The BC Newborn Screening Program stores the cards with the leftover blood sample. Cards have been stored since 1999 and are stored in one of two secure locations: BC Children’s Hospital laboratory storage or off-site storage. Blood spot cards may only be requested from storage by the Director and senior staff of the BC Newborn Screening Program. All staff that access stored cards have received training in data privacy.
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