Clinical Laboratory Reporting

(1) General Requirements. (a) A laboratory which performs blood lead testing on site or which sends blood lead specimens to out-of-state laboratories for lead testing shall report cases of elevated blood lead levels for all individuals 15 years of age or older, or for all individuals where data on (MA REG. #1274, Dated 11-21-14) age is not available, to the Lead Registry. (b) An individual 15 years of age or older is any person who has passed his or her 15th birthday. (2) Procedures for Reporting. (a) Reports shall be made in a format approved by the Department. (b) Reports shall be made to the Department on a weekly basis. 23.03: continued (3) Information to be reported to the Department shall include the following: (a) Name of the reporting laboratory; (b) Name of the testing laboratory; (c) Name of the person tested; (d) Date of birth or the age of the person tested; (e) Blood lead level of the person tested; (f) Free erythrocyte or zinc protoporphyrin level, if performed; (g) Date the blood specimen was drawn; (h) Date the specimen was received by the reporting laboratory; (i) Date of the blood lead test report; (j) Name, and address or telephone number of the health care provider who ordered the blood lead test; (k) Name, address and occupation of the person tested, when available; and (l) Name, address and telephone number of the employer of the person tested, when available. (1) Upon written or telephone request of the Department, a health care provider who has ordered a blood lead test shall provide the patient's address and telephone number to the Lead Registry, and, when known, the following information: (a) Race and ethnicity; (b) Date of birth; (c) Circumstances of lead exposure; (d) Occupation; (e) Type of industry of employer of person tested; and (f) Employer's name, address and telephone number. (1) The clinical laboratory report and the patient information provided by the health care provider shall be maintained confidential and are not matters of public record. (2) The Department of Public Health shall have full access to this information for the purposes of research and analysis. (1) Any person who violates any provision of 454 CMR 23.00 shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for each violation. (2) Each day such violation occurs or continues shall be considered a separate violation.