Section 144-283-7 - TIMING OF BLOOD SPECIMEN COLLECTIONA. For term infants, the specimen must be taken between 24-48 hours of life.B. For infants who are discharged within 24 hours of birth, a first blood specimen must be taken as close to discharge from the hospital or birthing center as possible, and a second specimen must be taken between 24-48 hours of life. The administrator of the hospital or birthing center must ensure the following:1. The infant's parents are notified of what they need to do to complete the second test;2. The infant's primary healthcare provider is notified of the early discharge and of need for the second test; and 3. Such notifications are made a part of the infant's medical records.C. For preterm, sick or other infants in intensive care, NBS specimens must be taken between 24-48 hours of life. If the infant's stay at the facility is prolonged, a second NBS specimen must be taken at two weeks, one month and monthly thereafter, or at discharge from intensive care, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise medically indicated.1. The attending physician providing intensive care to the infant whose stay at the facility extends beyond one month may determine the appropriate frequency of NBS specimen collection and must document this determination in the infant's medical record and any alternative schedule for collection. D. For infants receiving blood transfusions, the NBS specimen must be taken, if possible, before any anticipated transfusion, regardless of infant's age. A second NBS specimen must be taken 48 hours post-transfusion.10-144 C.M.R. ch. 283, § 7