The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Newborn Screening Program has updated the newborn screening filter paper kit. The kits will be changing on August 1, 2019. OSDH is asking hospitals to use their current stock of newborn screening kits through July 31, 2019.  The current kit has a 1^st page that is red in color. Hospitals should start using the new kits (1^st page is green in color) on August 1, 2019.

The majority of the changes in the new kit are on the Demographic form. Proper completion of the form is essential to the follow-up process when a baby has a positive screen for a metabolic disorder.

OSDH is asking hospitals to complete the following steps prior to August 1, 2019:

1. Staff involved in collecting newborn screening specimens should review this document that explains the components of the new kit and how to complete the new demographics form.
2. Hospital should assign a designee who will be at work on July 31^st to retrieve all old kits.
   • Remember to check in nooks and drawers where kits have been stored for convenience
   • Check out-patient labs, NICU areas, nursery areas and storage rooms