Can a baby have the newborn screening tests done but not have the leftover blood card stored with the BC Newborn Screening Program?
Yes. Parent(s) / legal guardian(s) who do not wish their baby’s blood spot card to be stored with the BC Newborn Screening Program may have the card destroyed. Parents / legal guardians who wish to have their baby’s blood spot card destroyed must sign a form called a Directive to Destroy Leftover Newborn Screening Blood Samples. The signed form is sent to the BC Children’s Laboratory with proof of identity. Once a directive to destroy a card is received, the NBS laboratory separates the filter paper containing the blood spots from the blood spot card. The filter paper and blood spots are destroyed. A letter is sent to the parent(s) / guardian(s) to tell them the blood spots have been destroyed. Destroying the card means that the card will no longer be available for any purpose, including further tests if the baby or child develops an illness later in life. Both parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must sign the request to return or destroy their baby’s card. If the baby has only one parent /
