New York

The State of New York received $500,000 through cooperative agreement EH21-2102 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in FY 2022. The funds address childhood lead poisoning prevention and surveillance programmatic activities being conducted from September 30, 2022 to September 29, 2023.

The strategies focus on

  • Ensuring blood lead testing and reporting
  • Enhancing blood lead surveillance
  • Improving linkages to recommended services

To learn more about these efforts in New York, contact the program below.

New York State Department of Health
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Comin Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: (518) 402-7500

Success Story 2023

Improving Laboratory Reporting of Blood Lead Data in New York State

Challenge

New York State public health law 1370-e requires laboratories to report blood lead testing results for people ages 17 years and younger to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP). Additionally, children are required to be tested at ages 1 and 2 years. Laboratories are required to report blood lead data through the NYS Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS).

The CLPPP observed and monitored a decrease in the quality and timeliness of laboratory-reported data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During the peak of the pandemic, resources to develop and implement interventions to improve reporting were unavailable because of the unprecedented strain on public health departments. Working with laboratories to overcome challenges and improve the quality and timeliness of their reporting is critical to strengthening reporting of blood lead levels.

Intervention

To overcome this reporting deficiency, CLPPP developed a laboratory reporting quality assurance campaign. An internship project was developed to evaluate and improve laboratory compliance. ECLRS reports were used to identify the scope of the problem and the laboratories that required intervention.

CLPPP also updated its Corrective Action Plan procedure and worked to improve a referral partnership with the NYS Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program to handle non-compliance. They completed the following tasks

  • They created an outreach and education plan to improve laboratory reporting. This plan included a letter campaign and updates to the public website.
  • They reviewed ECLRS laboratory timeliness and quality performance reports to identify reporting deficiencies.
  • They worked with ECLRS personnel to identify gaps in laboratory reporting.
  • They determined the best distribution process for letters to non-compliant laboratories.

They created an Excel spreadsheet to track enforcement actions. They also trained CLPPP personnel on how to use it and created a procedure for training future personnel.

Impact

To date, 47 requests for plans of correction were emailed to laboratories. Of the 47 requests, 28 plans have been received and 18 laboratory issues have been identified and addressed. The new laboratory compliance procedures will be continued into future years.

Funding for this work was made possible in part by NUE2EH001402 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Success Story 2021

Improving Provider Blood Lead Level Testing Rates Across New York State

Challenge

Increasing blood lead testing rates statewide is a top priority for the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. NYSDOH reviewed provider reporting through a provider report card effort and identified practices that had low reporting rates.

Intervention

In late 2018, NYSDOH developed an initiative to identify and send healthcare providers who serve ten or more children and have blood lead testing rates below 25% a detailed letter outlining blood lead testing requirements and guidance on how to improve testing rates. All letters were emailed to providers on February 7, 2019. Based on 2018 data from the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS), 627 letters were sent to

  • Providers who test children at one year of age (87 letters),
  • Providers who test children at two years of age (79 letters), and
  • Providers who test children at both one and two years of age (461 letters).
Impact

After sending the letters, NYSDOH fielded more than 93 follow-up questions and comments. As a result, NYSDOH

  • Helped 17 providers enroll in reporting point-of-care test results to NYSDOH,
  • Helped 3 providers who were previously enrolled to resume reporting,
  • Answered 23 questions on blood lead testing and reporting requirements for those considering purchasing a point-of-care testing system or those who already have one, and
  • Assisted more than 50 providers with NYSIIS functionalities (i.e., generating reports, changing patient status, editing blood lead data, and updating organization information).

After notifying the lowest testing providers of their testing rates in 2018, testing rates for children ages 1 and 2 years increased by 1% by late 2019.

Funding for this work was made possible in part by NUE2EH001402 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.