Declines and Deferrals

What happens if the parents/guardians decline screening?

  • Parents may decline screening, and health care providers should discuss this decision with them to ensure they are informed. The ordering health care provider should review the importance of screening, what it entails, and how it can save their baby.
  • If parents decline:
    • Document this decision in the infant’s medical record, and/or
    • The parents/guardians should sign a form indicating they have refused this testing for their infant
  • NSO has created a decline/deferral form that is a part of the newborn screening card. This form was designed as a tool to help your practice but is not necessary if you have an alternative method to document declines.

Contact Us

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
415 Smyth Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M8

Toll-Free: 1-877-627-8330
Local: (613) 738-3222
Fax: (613) 738-0853

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