§ 501.49. Newborn infant care policies and procedures.
The newborn infant care policies, protocols and procedures shall include the following:
(1) Resuscitation equipment for newborn infant care management of short-term assisted ventilation shall include bag and mask or bag and endotracheal tube, with oxygen supply available.
(2) Medication approved by the Department in § 27.98 (relating to prophylactic treatment of newborns), shall be instilled in the eyes of the newborn infant according to statute. If the parent or guardian of the newborn child objects on the ground that the prophylactic treatment conflicts with the parent’s religious beliefs or practices, prophylactic treatment will be withheld, and an entry in the child’s record indicating the reason for withholding treatment shall be made and signed by the Physician Director of Medical Affairs and the parent or guardian of the newborn infant.
(3) Before discharge from the center, the newborn infant shall be examined by a midwife or a physician, and the results shall be entered in the health record. An infant with identified abnormalities shall be referred for appropriate follow-up, in accordance with the birth center policies.
(4) The birth center shall explain to the mother the purpose and nature of the screening tests for diseases of the newborn, required by Chapter 28 (relating to screening and follow-up for diseases of the newborn), give her an informational pamphlet provided by the Department, inform her of her right to refuse the tests because of religious beliefs or practices, and see that the recorded written objection is entered into the medical record of the newborn child and signed by the parent or guardian, if screening is refused.
(5) The birth center shall comply with the requirements for specimen collection, testing and follow-up in § § 28.21—21.28 (relating to specimen collection and followup).
(6) Policies and other criteria, which govern discharge of newborn infants, shall be in accordance with birth center policies.
(7) The birth center shall communicate with the pediatric care provider and transfer birth and newborn records to the pediatric care provider.
(8) The birth center shall provide a list of available counselors and counseling services, compiled under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2505 (relating to counseling), to mothers who are known to be considering relinquishing or termination of parental rights under 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2101—2909 (relating to the Adoption Act).
Authority The provisions of this § 501.49 amended under section 16(a) of the Disease Control and Prevention Act of 1955 (35 P. S. § 521.16(a)); sections 2102(g) and 2111(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § § 532(g) and 541(b)); and sections 3 and 5 of the Newborn Child Testing Act (35 P. S. § § 623 and 625).
Source The provisions of this § 501.49 amended May 17, 2002, effective May 18, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2435. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (245716) to (245717).
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