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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 07-707

NOTICES

Special Procedures to be Taken Due to Annual Rate of Syphilis in Specified Counties

[37 Pa.B. 1937]
[Saturday, April 21, 2007]

   The Department of Health is providing notice in accordance with 28 Pa. Code § 27.89(a)(1)(ii) (relating to examinations for syphilis) and based on 2006 data, that the annual rate of syphilis in the listed counties is at or above the level at which special precautions are to be taken. Women residing in the following counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Erie, Fayette, Lancaster, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Washington, Westmoreland and York Counties are to be offered a test for syphilis in the following situations:

      *  At the third trimester of pregnancy.
      *  At the delivery of a child.
      *  At the delivery of a stillborn child.

   This notice is in addition to the Statewide requirement for syphilis testing contained in 28 Pa. Code § 27.89 (a)(1)(i) that directs a physician who attends, treats or examines a pregnant woman for conditions relating to pregnancy to offer the woman a test for syphilis at the time of first examination.

   If a pregnant woman does not object, the test shall be performed in accordance with 28 Pa. Code § 27.89. If a pregnant woman objects, the regulation requires the person attending the woman to explain to her the need for the test. With respect to the woman who has given birth, information relating to the test or the objection to the test is to be recorded in both the woman's medical record and in the record of the newborn, as regulation states.

All Other Counties

   Physicians in all other counties not listed in this notice are still required to offer women a test for syphilis at the time of first examination for conditions related to pregnancy in accordance with 28 Pa. Code § 27.89(a)(1)(i).

   Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this notice (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille), or have any other questions regarding this notice, should contact Stephen J. Kowalewski, Senior Public Health Advisor, Division of STD/TB, Department of Health, Room 1013, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 787-3981 or at V/TT (717) 783-6154 for speech and/or hearing impaired persons or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TT).

CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M. D., M.P.H.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-707. Filed for public inspection April 20, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]


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