Program Spotlight

The Washington State Newborn Screening (NBS) program has performed millions of tests to identify babies with rare congenital conditions since 1963. We have experienced many successes through this statewide program, finding these conditions early and treating them quickly.

This page showcases experiences of parents and caregivers in our program and healthcare providers who help us save lives by getting specimens to our lab in a timely manner. Thank you for everything you do to help keep our youngest residents in Washington healthy and happy!

Caregiver Spotlight

Each year we test specimens from more than 80,000 newborns. In this family spotlight, we highlight the story of two families who used our NBS program for their babies. These videos tell the stories of Susan and Indie Mays and Lisa Greene.

Susan and Indie

Indie Mays' story about living with Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)

Indie Mays was diagnosed with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), a condition where her body cannot process certain amino acids and requires a strict low-protein diet. Susan, Indie’s mother, shares the importance of the second screening. It was the second test that led Indie’s doctor to diagnosis her and provide her with early intervention and treatment.

Lisa

Lisa Greene's story about living with cystic fibrosis (CF)

In Lisa Greene’s story we hear about her children’s diagnosis with cystic fibrosis (CF). Lisa’s children were born before CF was added to the Washington State NBS screening panel in 2006. Lisa wishes she could have found out sooner to help with treatment planning.

Health Care Professionals Spotlight

Our health care professionals, including hospitals, birth centers, clinics, and midwives, do an excellent job on their transit and collection times for specimen cards. Quick transit and collection are critical for early detection and treatment as some disorders can be life threatening within the baby’s first week of life. In this provider spotlight, we recognize the important work these health care professionals do for the NBS program.

Top Submitters for Compliance

Birthing facilities and birth attendants must collect initial specimens no later than 48 hours following a baby’s birth. Our state laboratory should receive these specimens within 72 hours of collection, excluding days that the laboratory is closed (Sundays and Thanksgiving).

In Washington, our goal is that all facilities and birth attendants  have a 100% rate for both on time initial screen and on time transit. Below are the birthing facilities that have the highest rates for on time initial screen and on time transit for this quarter.

(Data from 2024 Quarter 1)

*Specimen Collection: Initial specimens are collected no later than 48 hours following birth.

**Transit Performance: Initial specimens must be received by State Laboratory within 72 hours of collection (excluding days that the laboratory is closed – Sundays and Thanksgiving.)

Top Submitters for Quality

Healthcare providers must obtain specimens with proper collection, drying, and transportation methods. Additionally, providers must fill out the card demographics with accurate information. Inaccurate data or improperly collected specimens (unsatisfactory specimens) can cause delayed diagnosis and treatment.

In Washington, our aim is that all providers have a 0% error rate for both demographic information and unsatisfactory specimens. Below are the providers that have the lowest rates for demographic and unsatisfactory errors for this quarter.

(Data from 2024 Quarter 1)

*Demographic error: Key demographic fields are necessary for interpreting newborn screening results and for identifying the infant. Specimens with invalid or missing demographic information could delay diagnosis and treatment of an affected infant.

**Unsatisfactory specimen error: Some specimens are considered unsatisfactory due to the quality of specimen collection or handling. In these cases, another specimen must be obtained to complete screening, which could delay diagnosis and treatment of an affected infant or cause undue hardship for the parents.

Data from previous quarters is available on the Washington Tracking Network website.