Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Information for Healthcare Providers

The Rhode Island Lead Poisoning Prevention Act requires providers to screen children younger than six years of age for lead poisoning and to report test results to the Department of Health within 10 days. All providers are required to annually screen their patients between nine months and six years of age.

Screening compliance

Compliance with lead screening guidelines is assessed by measuring the proportion of children born in a given year with at least one blood lead test by 18 months of age, and at least two blood lead tests, no less than 12 months apart, by 36 months of age. For children born in 2005 and 2006, compliance with lead screening guidelines has increased. (more)

KIDSNET

The high screening rates among children by 18 months of age in Rhode Island may be attributed in part to providers' access to KIDSNET, the state's integrated child health information system. KIDSNET allows providers to collect and share health data electronically and to generate reports, including lists of patients in their practices that have not been screened for lead poisoning.