Florida Department of Health
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Blood Lead Test Reporting Requirements and Information
for Laboratories

This site summarizes the blood lead test reporting responsibilities of laboratories as per Chapter 64D-3 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), Control of Communicable Diseases and Conditions Which may Significantly Affect Public Health. The document also provides information on electronic reporting formats, enforcement, and penalties. To obtain a copy of Chapter 64D-3 of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) please visit the following website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/topics/surv.htm. If you have additional questions regarding blood lead test result reporting please contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (850) 245-4444 x2222.

Reporting Requirements:
All laboratories must report all blood lead test results with the information listed below by the close of the next business day following laboratory findings. Reports must be sent electronically* to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Community Environmental Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1712. Please note, these requirements also stand for Laboratories located out of state that collect specimens in Florida or that receive an order for blood lead analysis from a practitioner located in Florida.

Information Provided by Laboratories to the Florida Department of Health:
As per Chapter 64D-3, F.A.C laboratories are responsible for providing all of the following information with each blood lead record:
(a) The Patient’s:

1. first and last name, including middle initial
2. address, including city, state and zip code
3. phone number, including area code
4. date of birth
5. sex
6. race
7. ethnicity (specify if of Hispanic descent or not of Hispanic descent)
8. pregnancy status
9. Social Security number

(b) The Laboratory:

1. name
2. address
3. telephone number of laboratory performing blood lead test
4. type of specimen (for example, venous vs. capillary specimen)
5. date of specimen collection
6. date of report
7. type of test(s) performed
8. all available results

(c) The Submitting Provider’s:

1. name
2. address
3. telephone number, including area code

*Information on Approved Electronic Reporting Formats:
The Florida Department of Health is developing an Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) system that will make use of HL7 Format. Upon the Department’s implementation of its electronic disease surveillance system, reports of diseases or conditions must be submitted electronically to the Department using an application and reporting format provided by the Department. At least nine (9) months in advance of requiring practitioners and laboratories to submit reports electronically in this format, the Department will publish a notice in the Florida Administrative Weekly announcing when electronic reporting will begin. The Department will also notify appropriate professional organizations affected by Chapter 64D-3, F.A.C.

Enforcement and Penalties:
Any practitioner, hospital or laboratory who is subject to the provisions of Chapter 64D-3, F.A.C who fails to report a disease or condition as required or otherwise fails to act in accordance with this rule is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) as provided in Sections 775.082 or 775.083, Florida Statutes. Each violation is considered a separate offense. All violations by practitioners, hospitals or laboratories may be reported to the appropriate professional licensing authorities and public financing programs.