recall rate
The percentage of screened newborns who require additional testing or follow-up based on initial screening results.
Full Definition
The recall rate in newborn screening programs represents the proportion of all screened infants who require follow-up action, including repeat screening, confirmatory testing, or clinical evaluation. This rate encompasses both true positive cases and false positive results. Recall rates are carefully monitored as a key performance indicator, as excessively high rates can overwhelm follow-up services and cause unnecessary family anxiety, while rates that are too low may indicate missed cases. Target recall rates vary by condition and are established based on disease prevalence and program capacity.
Usage
Usage note: Express as a percentage; distinguish from medical device recall which has different meaning.
In Context
- "The overall recall rate for the metabolic screening panel was 0.8%, within program targets." — annual program report
- "Seasonal variations in recall rate suggested potential pre-analytical factors affecting sample quality." — quality improvement analysis