FAQS

What are criteria for participation?
The laboratory must use dried blood spot matrix, and the laboratory’s analyte reference ranges must represent the newborn period of life.
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Is there a cost for materials or a cost for shipping?
There is no cost for dried blood spot materials or shipping. However, any documents, import permits, fees, taxes, or other costs required by your country for release of your package from customs are your responsibility.
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What information do you need to ship my DBS materials?
We need a physical street address. Our courier will not ship to a Post Office Box. Tax ID and broker information may be required for laboratories located outside the U.S.
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When will I start receiving PT and/or QC dried blood spot materials as a Domestic (US/Canada) Participant?
If you enroll by November 1, you will receive materials in January; enroll by May 1, receive materials in July; enroll by August 1, receive materials in October.
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When will I start receiving PT and/or QC dried blood spot materials as an International Participant?
If the request for enrollment is received before August 31 and is approved, you will receive materials in the January shipment of the next year. Applications received after the registration deadline of August 31 will be processed for the following year, pending the application approval.
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How do I remain active in the NSQAP?
To remain active and continue receiving PT and QC newborn screening materials, your laboratory must report data for each product you receive at least once per year.
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Do I have to re-enroll each year?
As long as your account is active, you do not need to re-enroll.
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How do I change the primary contact person, shipping address, email address, etc. for our laboratory?
Create an Help Request and select the Contact/Address category. Please be sure to include your lab code number, current information, and new information in the request description.
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How do I report data?
Use the NSQAP Portal to report PT data for the following programs: Amino Acids, Acylcarnitines, Biotinidase, Immunoreactive Trypsinogen, Galactose-1-phosphate Uridyltransferase, Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase, and Hormone + Total Galactose.
All other PT Programs and all QC Programs report using the proper Excel data report form located here
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When are materials shipped? When are the data due?
Our annual shipping and data reporting schedule is located here
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What if I do not receive my materials?
To avoid penalty for not reporting data, create an Help Request and select the Shipping category if you have not received materials within seven days of scheduled shipment. The shipping schedule is located here
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What if I cannot report my results by the data deadline? Can I ask for an extension?

We do not accept late data and we cannot extend the data reporting deadline. However, as long as your laboratory has reported data for each program you are enrolled at least once during the year, you will continue to receive materials.
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What if I forgot my SAMS password or my SAMS password has expired?

If you forgot your password or your password expired, Click Here and click the Forgot Your Password link below the username and password fields of the SAMS Credentials area. Follow the prompts to reset your password. If you have any issues with resetting your password or restoring your access, contact the SAMS help desk by phone at 877-681-2901 between 8:00AM EST and 6:00PM EST Monday-Friday (except U.S. Federal holidays), or by email at samshelp@cdc.gov.
Note: Your User ID is your email address
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