Section 7.27.111. Prophylactic treatment of newborns' eyes.

	(a)  Each infant born in this state must have administered to the infant by a physician, nurse, or certified direct-entry midwife, one of the following prophylactic measures within two hours after birth onto the inside surface of the infant's lower eyelids:  
		(1) repealed 9/18/2009;  
		(2) repealed 9/18/2009;  
		(3) erythromycin ophthalmic ointment;  
		(4) a department-approved alternative prophylactic ophthalmic agent as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum in the newborn.  
	(b)  Prophylaxis is not required  
		(1) if the infant is receiving parenteral antibiotics; or  
		(2) if the infant's delivery occurs at an unplanned time when prophylactic measures are unavailable.  
	(c)  A physician, nurse, or certified direct-entry midwife who detects gonorrhea infection of the eye in a newborn infant shall report the infant's name, birth date, extent of infection, and place of residence to the Section of Epidemiology within the department.  

Authorities

18.05.040

Notes

Reference

12 AAC 14.530
12 AAC 14.570

Authority

AS 18.05.040 Editor's note: Information about the department-approved alternative prophylactic ophthalmic agents referred to in 7 AAC 27.111(a) may be obtained from the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Women's, Children's and Family Health, 3601 C Street, Ste. 756, Anchorage, Alaska 99503; Phone: [phone]; Internet address: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/. ________________________

History

Eff. 5/3/80, Register 74; am 1/17/2008, Register 185; am 9/18/2009, Register 192

References

7.27.111