Dccode.elaws.us

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OFFICIAL CODE
HUMAN HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY.
CHAPTER 8.
PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS IN INFANTS.
2001 Edition
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICIAL CODE
CHAPTER 8. PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS IN
INFANTS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 8. PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS
IN INFANTS.
§ 7-801. PROPHYLACTIC SOLUTION TO BE ADMINISTERED.
The Mayor may, upon the advice of the Commissioner of Public Health and pursuant to subchapter I ofChapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to prevent and monitor the occurrence of ophthalmia in newborns. Unlessthe Mayor provides otherwise, each physician or nurse-midwife who delivers or otherwise assumes theinitial care of a newborn shal immediately upon that delivery or assumption of care administer to each eyeof the newborn a 1% solution of silver nitrate, an ophthalmic ointment containing either 1% tetracycline or0.5% erythromycin, or another prophylactic approved by the Mayor.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 1; Aug. 1, 1950, 64 Stat. 393, ch. 513, § 1; Feb. 21, 1986, D.C. Law6-83, § 4(a), 32 DCR 7276.) Law 6-83, the "Preventive Health Services Amendments Act of 1985," was introduced in Council andassigned Bil No. 6-99, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services. The Bil was adopted onfirst and second readings on November 5, 1985, and November 19, 1985, respectively. Signed by the Mayoron November 27, 1985, it was assigned Act No. 6-108 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for itsreview.
Office of Director of Public Health abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes fol owing § 7-101.
§ 7-802. REPORT OF EYE INFLAMMATION; TREATMENT.
Whenever a physician or nurse-midwife discovers that a newborn in his or her care has inflammation of theeye(s) with suppuration, he or she shal report these symptoms to the Commissioner of Public Healthwithin 6 hours of their discovery. Upon receipt of such communication the Commissioner of Public Health,unless he finds such report to be incorrect, shal issue an order directing the parents of such child (or otherperson charged with its care) either to: (1) place such child in the care of a registered physician; or (2)submit immediately satisfactory proof of inability to pay for such medical service. If the Director of theDepartment of Human Services finds that the parents or such other person are unable to pay for suchmedical treatment, he shal order the parents (or such other person) to place the child in a hospital to bedesignated by the Department of Human Services and at the expense of said Department.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 2; Aug. 1, 1950, 64 Stat. 393, ch. 513, § 1; Feb. 21, 1986, D.C. Law6-83, § 4(b), 32 DCR 7276.) For legislative history of D.C. Law 6-83, see Historical and Statutory Notes fol owing § 7-801.
Office of Director of Public Health abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes fol owing § 7-101.
Health Department abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes fol owing § 7- 180.
§ 7-803. TREATMENT BY OTHER THAN REGISTERED PHYSICIAN.
No person other than a registered physician shal treat any case of inflammation of the eyes, attended by adischarge therefrom, of a newborn child for any period longer than may be necessary to obtain theservices of a registered physician.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 3.) § 7-804. PENALTY.
Any person who wil ful y violates this subchapter or any rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to thissubchapter shal be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
Prosecution shal be in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by information signed by theCorporation Counsel.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 4; Feb. 21, 1986, D.C. Law 6-83, § 4(c), 32 DCR 7276.) For legislative history of D.C. Law 6-83, see Historical and Statutory Notes fol owing § 7-801.

Source: http://dccode.elaws.us/gateway/codepdf/title7/chapter7-8/1753-01-01/chapter7-8(1753-01-01).pdf