New resource for Virginia child ID program

12 April 2012

Starting on July 1, Virginia hospitals that provide obstetric and newborn care are required to provide the parent of each infant born at the hospital a blood sample collected from the infant. This blood sample can be used by the parents if they need to obtain DNA analysis to help identify a child in the event of an emergency such us an accident, natural or manmade disaster, or abduction.

The parent is responsible for storage of the sample. Once the hospital collects the sample and provides it to the parent, only the parent will have access to the sample; the hospital has no further responsibility for the sample, its storage, analysis or use.

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) prepared an implementation package to assist hospitals in developing policies and procedures for implementation of the child ID program. Included in the package are:

• Implementation information for hospitals, including supply sources
• Suggested blood collection protocols
• Information for parents
• Sample consent form

Organizations may use this package or revise it as determined appropriate. Additional information is available on the VHHA Web site.