Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 1203A – Notification by a receiving medical facility
(a) Each receiving medical facility shall designate an officer or individual who shall receive completed forms as specified by § 1202A(c) of this title, and who shall insure compliance with the requirements of this section.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 1203A
- Communicable disease: means human immunodeficiency virus, (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS), and hepatitis B. See Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 1201A
- Division: means Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services. See Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 1201A
- Emergency medical care provider: means a fire fighter, law enforcement officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, ambulance attendant or other person who serves as an employee or volunteer of an ambulance service and/or provides prehospital emergency medical services. See Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 1201A
- Receiving medical facility: means a hospital or similar facility that receives a patient attended by an emergency medical care provider for the purposes of continued medical care. See Delaware Code Title 16 Sec. 1201A
(b) If, within 30 days after a patient is admitted or treated, a receiving medical care facility determines whether or not the emergency medical care provider has been exposed to a communicable disease, the receiving medical facility shall so notify the officer designated pursuant to § 1202A(b) of this title as soon as possible, but in no case more than 48 hours after that determination. The receiving medical facility shall base this determination upon information provided in the request for notification made pursuant to § 1202A(c) of this title and patient records or a finding at the facility.
(c) If, after expiration of the 30-day period, the receiving medical facility cannot determine whether or not the emergency medical care provider has been exposed to a communicable disease, the receiving medical facility shall notify the officer designated pursuant to § 1202A(b) of this title as soon as possible, but not more than 48 hours after expiration of the 30-day period.
(d) If a request for notification has been made pursuant to § 1202A(c) of this title, the receiving medical facility shall provide to the Division a copy of the form which shall include information about whether or not the patient is infected with a communicable disease; and if exposure to the patient is considered by the receiving medical facility to be in a manner known to transmit that communicable disease. The Division shall settle any disputes regarding whether or not an emergency medical care provider has or has not been exposed to a communicable disease.