DSHS: Use the expanded Texas newborn screening courier service for reliable, expedient lab results

The Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Laboratory continues to expand its newborn screening courier service. Courier service gives submitters a reliable way to transport newborn screening, or NBS, specimens to the DSHS Public Health Laboratory. Courier delivery reduces delays that can occur with traditional mailing methods and provides tracking. Faster transportation supports quicker testing and reporting of screening results for Texas newborns.

To improve timely delivery of specimens, submitters should avoid using regular United States Postal Service for submitting NBS specimens for testing. Specimens sent through standard mail often arrive too late for testing and do not include tracking.

DSHS currently supports courier transportation through Data Rush and FedEx. Many facilities already use courier services for specimen transport. Submitters that currently use a courier service may continue using their existing service.

Submitters that do not have a courier service may enroll in the DSHS newborn screening courier program at no additional cost. Submitters can enroll by completing the Courier Expansion Enrollment Form at bit.ly/49bixDb.

After submitting the form, the DSHS Courier Coordinator will contact the submitter with the next steps for enrollment.