Section 27.89. Examinations for syphilis

(a) Prenatal examination for syphilis.

(1) Blood sample.

(i) A physician who attends, treats or examines a pregnant woman for conditions relating to pregnancy during the period of gestation or delivery shall inform the woman that he intends to take or cause to be taken, unless the woman objects, a sample of her blood at the time of the first examination (including the initial visit when a pregnancy test is positive), or within 15 days after the first examination, and shall submit the sample to a clinical laboratory for an approved test for syphilis.

(ii) A physician shall similarly collect and have tested a sample of the pregnant woman’s blood during the third trimester of her pregnancy, in those counties of this Commonwealth where the annual rate of infectious syphilis is at a rate of syphilis occurring in a given population for which the CDC has determined it is cost-effective to require special precautions.

(iii) The Department will publish the list of those counties in which this rate is occurring in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as necessary.

(iv) Other persons permitted by law to attend pregnant women, but not permitted by law to take blood samples, shall, unless the woman objects, cause a blood sample to be taken and submitted to a clinical laboratory for an approved test for syphilis.

(v) If the pregnant woman objects, it shall be the duty of the person attending the pregnant woman and seeking to have the woman give a blood sample to explain to her the desirability of the test.

(2) Charge for test. The serological test required by paragraph (1) will be made without charge, by the Department, upon the request of the physician submitting the blood sample and the submission of a certificate by the physician that the patient is unable to pay.

(b) Examination for syphilis in mother of newborn. A test for syphilis shall be done, unless the mother objects, on the blood of the mother of every newborn delivered in those counties of this Commonwealth where the annual rate of infectious syphilis is at a rate of syphilis occurring in a given population for which the CDC has determined it is cost-effective to require special precautions.

(1) The Department will publish the list of counties in which this rate is occurring in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as necessary.

(2) The results of the test shall be recorded both in the mother’s medical record and in the newborn’s medical record prior to discharge.

(c) Examination for syphilis in mother of stillborn.

(i) A test for syphilis shall be done, unless the mother objects, on the blood of the mother of every stillborn child delivered in those counties of this Commonwealth where the annual rate of infectious syphilis is at a rate of syphilis occurring in a given population for which the CDC has determined it is cost-effective to require special precautions.

(ii) The Department will publish the list of counties in which this rate is occurring in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as necessary.

(iii) The Department will be responsible for alerting physicians about this standard.

(iv) The blood shall be collected within 2 hours after delivery and the result entered into the mother’s medical record prior to discharge. See also, § 27.95 (relating to reporting syphilis examination information for births and fetal deaths).

The provisions of this § 27.89 amended January 25, 2002, effective January 26, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 491. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (243675).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 27.95 (relating to reporting syphilis examination information for births and fetal deaths).