The Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is pleased to announce rules adopted Nov. 5 now allow providers two options for blood lead testing:
1. Continue to submit blood lead samples to the State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory; or
2. Perform capillary blood lead analysis using a CLIA waived in-office blood lead testing device, such as a LeadCareII, and directly report all test results to Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
Providers must have approval from the Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program before they can begin in-office testing.
The intent of the law is to increase blood lead testing of children under age 6 years by removing barriers to testing, such as travelling to an off-site location to have blood drawn. Using a direct-read blood lead analyzer, providers will be able to perform a capillary blood lead test and within minutes report the result to the patient’s parent/guardian. (Note: All elevated blood lead levels will require a venous confirmation through the State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory.)
For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/YhnT
