Specimen Receiving

Front door area for Newborn Screening Laboratory

Lab location

The Newborn Screening Laboratory is located in the Public Health Laboratories at:

1610 N.E. 150th St., Shoreline, WA 98155

The specimen receiving area is on the east side of the building next to the loading dock. You will see “Department of Health Public Health Laboratories Specimen Receiving” on the wall next to the entrance (pictured at right).

For complete shipping guidelines please read the Drying and Shipping Specimens section of our Health Care Provider Manual (PDF).

Receiving hours

  • Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday and Holiday (except Thanksgiving): 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Sunday and Thanksgiving: Closed

Newborn screening specimens received by 10:00 a.m will be set-up for testing the same day.

For Saturday and holiday courier deliveries, ring the bell located at Specimen Receiving and staff members will answer the door. If no answer, call the phone number posted on the door for assistance.

If you have clinical concerns about an infant, please call our office at 206-418-5410 or Toll Free 1-866-660-9050 to arrange for STAT specimen processing.

2024 Holiday Schedule

 

  • Monday, New Year's Day              1/1/2024 Closed
  • Monday, MLK Jr.'s B-day            1/15/2024 Closed
  • Monday, Presidents' Day            2/19/2024 Closed
  • Monday, Memorial Day               5/27/2024 Closed
  • Wednesday, Juneteenth              6/19/2024 Open 8am-12pm
  • Thursday, Independence Day       7/4/2024 Closed
  • Monday, Labor Day                       9/2/2024 Closed
  • Monday, Veterans' Day              11/11/2024 Open 8am-12pm
  • Thursday, Thanksgiving             11/28/2024 Closed
  • Friday, Thanksgiving                  11/29/2024 Closed
  • Wednesday, Christmas Day       12/25/2024 Closed

Sending Specimens via Courier (Recommended)

The state does not provide a courier service for NBS specimens.

Please use a private courier or a commercial carrier such as FedEx, UPS, etc. Ensure your courier is aware of our receiving hours.

For Saturday and holiday deliveries, ring the doorbell for service. If there is no answer, call the phone number posted on the door.

  1. Include a list of all specimens submitted in the package.
  2. Provide the following information on the specimen list:
    • Mother's name
    • Baby's date of birth
    • Baby's medical record number
    • Specimen barcode number (found on bottom right corner of the specimen card)
    • Name of your facility and contact information in case there is an issue.
  3. Place one specimen per NBS envelope provided.
  4. Combine envelopes into the larger courier envelope/package.
  5. Address package to:
    WA Public Health Laboratories
    line drawing of stork carrying baby on envelop

    Attn: Newborn Screening
    1610 N.E. 150th St.
    Shoreline, WA 98155

Sending specimens via USPS

  1. Use the provided self-addressed envelope. Standard first class postage is required.
  2. Send one specimen per envelope.
  3. If sending multiple specimens:
    • Place one specimen per envelope provided
    • Combine envelopes into larger envelope
  4. Address to:
    Newborn Screening
    Washington State Department of Health
    P.O. Box 55729
    Shoreline, WA 98155-0729

Questions?

Email us with your questions or concerns, or telephone us at 206-418-5410 or Toll Free 1-866-660-9050.