LEAD TESTING EXCERPTS

Excerpted below are the parts of the regulations pertaining to Blood Lead Testing. A complete copy of the regulations is available from HHS, Douglas County Health Department, or electronically over the internet at www.hhs.state.ne.us(go to www.hhs.state.ne.us/reg/t173.htm then Chapter 1).

1-002 WHO REPORTS:

1-002.01 Health Care Providers: Physicians and hospitals shall make reports of communicable diseases and poisonings as described in 173 NAC 1-004.01 and 173 NAC 1-005; unless a report is made under 172 NAC 1-002.01A or 1-002.01B.

1-002.01B REPORTING LEAD ANALYSIS: If a laboratory performing lead analysis provides a report containing the required information to the department, the physician and hospital are exempt from 173 NAC 1-002.01.

1-002.02 LABORATORIES: Laboratories shall make reports as described in 173 NAC 1-003, 173 NAC 1-004.02 and 173 NAC 1-002.01.

1-003 REPORTABLE DISEASES, POISONINGS AND ORGANISMS: LISTS AND FREQUENCY OF REPORTS:

1-003.02 REPORTS WITHIN SEVEN DAYS: The following diseases, poisonings and organisms shall be reported within seven days of detection or diagnosis:

...Lead Poisoning (all analytical values for blood lead analysis shall be reported);...

1-004 METHODS OF REPORTING:

1-004.01 Health Care Providers

1-004.01C Reports Within Seven Days:

Health care providers shall make reports of diseases, poisonings and organisms, listed in 173 NAC 1-003.02, within seven days of diagnosis or detection.

1-004.01C1 Except for lead analysis and AIDS and HIV disease, reports can be made by postal service, telephone, facsimile or other secure electronic mail system, submitted on or including the same information as Attachment A. Health care providers shall ... report lead analysis as described in 1-004.01C3. See 173 NAC 1-005 Where to Report.

1-004.01C3 Reporting Lead Analysis: Health care providers shall report the following information to the department: the date of sample collection and analysis; whether the sample is a capillary or venous blood sample; the date of birth, address, and sex of the patient; and the name and address of the physician. Race and ethnicity of the patient should be reported if known.

1-004.02 Laboratories:

1-004.02C Reports Within Seven Days: Laboratories shall make reports of diseases, poisonings and organisms diagnosed or detected, listed in 173 NAC 1-003.01B, collected during one calendar week. Reports will be submitted no later than the following Tuesday and submitted on or include the same information as Attachment B. Laboratories shall make reports by postal service, telephone, facsimile or other secure electronic mail system.

1-004.02C2 Reporting Lead Analysis:

Laboratories shall report the following information to the department: the date of sample collection and analysis; whether the sample is a capillary or venous blood sample; the date of birth, address, and sex of the patient; and the name and address of the physician. Race and ethnicity of the patient should be reported if known.

1-004.03 When health care providers and laboratories do not have complete information, as shown on Attachments A,B, C, D or E or as required regarding lead analysis, the designated official from the official local health department of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure may contact the health care provider or laboratory to obtain the missing information.

1-005 WHERE TO REPORT:

1-005.01 CASES REPORTED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND LABORATORIES: Except as stated for AIDS and HIV reporting in 173 NAC 1-005.01A, reports are to be made to the local health department if the area is served by an approved local full-time health service as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 71-1626, and where the health director of the service has specified this method of reporting. In all other areas, the reports are to be made directly to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure.