Minnesota Administrative Rules

4605.7900 OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.

Subpart 1.

Definition.

Any condition of the eye or eyes of an infant, independent of the nature of the infection, in which there is any inflammation, swelling, or redness in either one or both eyes of any such infant, either apart from, or together with, any unnatural discharge from the eye or eyes of any such infant within two weeks of the birth of such infant, shall be known as ophthalmia neonatorum.

Subp. 2.

Prophylaxis.

The licensed health professional in charge of the delivery at the time of the birth of any newborn infant shall instill or have instilled, within one hour of birth or as soon as possible thereafter, a one percent solution of silver nitrate, or tetracycline ointment or drops, or erythromycin ointment or drops.

Subp. 3.

Treatment.

A licensed health professional who is not a licensed health care practitioner but who is in charge of the care of a newborn infant shall immediately bring to the attention of a licensed health care practitioner every case in which symptoms of inflammation develop in one or both eyes of an infant in his or her care.

Subp. 4.

Objections.

If a parent objects or both parents object to the prophylactic treatment of a newborn infant and the health professional has honored the objection, the health professional shall retain a record of the objection.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 144.05; 144.12

History:

9 SR 2584; 41 SR 829

Published Electronically:

January 18, 2017