Pulse Ox Screening for Newborns: RI Department of Health Releases Proposed Regulation

 

Earlier this year, the American Heart Association, little heart heroes in red superhero capes, and families from Mended Little Hearts met with Governor Chafee to discuss the importance of screening all Rhode Island newborns for critical congenital heart defects using a simple, non-invasive and inexpensive pulse oximetry test.  We are excited to announce that the Department of Health recently released a draft regulation that would add critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) to the mandatory newborn screening panel in the Ocean State.

The Department of Health has been working with Rhode Island’s birthing hospitals over the past two years to implement pulse oximetry screening for CCHD.  We greatly appreciate the leadership of the Department and the many physicians, nurses and medical professionals who helped lay a strong foundation for this policy change. 

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the U.S. and the leading killer of infants with birth defects.  The evidence speaks for itself – wider use of pulse ox screening could help identify more than 90 percent of heart defects.  

To view the American Heart Association’s comments on the proposed regulation click here: (Please visit the site to view this file)

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