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The Alabama Department of Public Health presented a Certificate for Excellence in Screening Collection to DW McMcMillan Women’s and Infants’ Department.
The award indicates that DWM ranks in the top among Alabama hospitals with newborn Phenylketonuria (PKU) screens and reporting.
This important blood test measures the amount of phenylalanine (Phe) in a newborn’s blood to determine if they have the disorder. PKU is a rare genetic disorder that prevents the body from breaking down Phe, a protein found in many foods. If left untreated, PKU can cause permanent brain and nervous system damage leading to health problems.
“Receiving this certificate makes me proud as a mother, a nurse and the unit manager. It is our goal to ensure these screens are performed properly because early detection of any genetic or metabolic condition is imperative.” said RN Jessica Sutton. “ I am so proud of our staff for ensuring that each Newborn Screen is performed with the utmost precision.”
During the certificate presentation, the staff also received additional training from ADPH on the new electronic newborn hearing screener system.
The DWM Women’s and Infants’ staff is excited about the updated screening process and look forward to holding their top rank in Alabama in 2025.
For more information about DW McMillian Women’s and Infants’ Department, please call 251.809.8388 or email jsutton@echca.org .