What happens to the blood spot card after testing?
DSHS keeps the blood spot cards in a secure place. By Texas law (Health & Safety Code Sec. 33.018) the blood spots may be used until DSHS is required to destroy them pursuant to parental directive (or destroys them pursuant to agency records retention policy). Permissible uses include:
- DSHS and external quality assurance to make sure tests, equipment, and supplies are working right
- Developing new tests; and/or
- DSHS studies of diseases that affect public health.
Additionally, if the parent gives their OK, blood spots collected on or after June 1, 2012 may be used for public health research outside of DSHS. Blood spots used outside DSHS will not include any information that can identify the child or parent, unless the parent provides a separate, specific consent.
DSHS storage of residual blood spots is governed by Texas law as detailed in the chart below:
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Received by DSHS prior to May 27, 2009
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Specimen Collection Date
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May 27, 2009 through
May 31, 2012
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June 1, 2012 or Later
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Blood Spot Storage after Completion of the Newborn Screening Tests
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Blood spots received by DSHS prior to May 27, 2009, for which written consent to retain was not given, have all been destroyed.
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To be determined. The disposition of blood spots received by DSHS in this timeframe is pending decision by DSHS executive leadership.
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All blood spots are stored for up to 2 years and then destroyed unless the parent submits a completed Parental Decision form allowing for longer storage.
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Click here to learn more about potential public health uses for blood spot cards after testing is completed.
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