D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-326

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 43, October 25, 2024

Rule 29-326 - EXCLUDING AND READMITTING CHILDREN WHO ARE ILL

326.1

A child who exhibits one or more symptoms of illness identified in subsection 326.6 shall not attend the Facility.

326.2

When the Facility staff observes one or more symptoms of illness identified in subsection 326.6, the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be notified immediately. The Facility shall require that the parent(s) or guardian(s) remove the child from the Facility.

326.3

The Facility shall isolate a child who becomes ill or is suspected of being ill. The child shall remain within sight and hearing of a staff member.

326.4

Facility staff shall carefully observe a child in isolation for the presence of, or change in, any symptoms identified in subsection 326.6.

326.5

Facility staff shall ensure that a child who is ill or suspected of being ill does not share any personal hygiene or grooming items.

326.6

Symptoms of illness requiring exclusion from the Facility include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Diarrhea, i.e., runny, watery or bloody stools;

(b) Vomiting two (2) or more times in a twenty-four (24) hour period;

(c) Body rash with fever;

(d) Sore throat with fever or swollen glands;

(e) Eye drainage with thick mucus or pus draining from the eye;

(f) Pink eye, i.e., colored drainage, eye pain and/or redness of the eye;

(g) Yellowish skin or eyes;

(h) Fever accompanied by rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, irritability or confusion;

(i) Continuous irritable crying that requires more attention than the Facility can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children; or

(j) Any other symptom indicative of a reportable communicable disease, as such is defined in Chapter 2 of Title 22 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations or in any superseding document.

326.7

The Facility shall observe each child for the presence of symptoms that may indicate a medical problem, which problem may require exclusion from the Facility, isolation from other children, and/or consultation with the child's parent(s), guardian(s) or licensed health care practitioner(s). The following are examples of conditions that may indicate the existence of a medical problem:

(a) Fever;

(b) Lethargy or inability to walk;

(c) Respiratory problems, including: increased respiratory rate; retractions in the chest; excessive nasal flaring; audible persistent wheezing; persistent coughing, either productive or nonproductive; severe coughing causing redness or blueness in the face; or difficulty in breathing;

(d) Abdominal and urinary system problems including: intestinal parasites, dark urine, white spots in the stool, increased urgency or frequency of urination, or no urination for an entire day;

(e) Cardiac problems, including: choking, change in color of the skin, chest pain, or persistent sweating;

(f) Ear problems, including discharge from the ear and/or ear pain;

(g) Throat and mouth problems, including: sores on the lips or in the mouth, white patches in the mouth, throat pain, or a dental problem that needs immediate attention; and

(h) Injuries, including: persistent bleeding, oozing wounds, apparent fracture, complaint of persistent bone pain or stiffness, or difficulty with the movement of any extremity.

326.8

A child who exhibits one or more symptoms of illness identified in subsection 326.6, and who has been treated for said symptom(s) by a licensed health care practitioner, may be readmitted to the Facility only with written permission, and written instructions for continuing care if needed, from that licensed health care practitioner.

326.9

If a child exhibits mild symptoms of illness and/or discomfort, the Center Director or his/her designee, or the Caregiver, in consultation with the child's parent(s) or guardian(s), shall decide whether the child should be immediately discharged or discharged at the end of the day.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-326

Regulation No. 74-34 published at 21 DCR 1333 (December 27, 1974); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 3793 (April 27, 2007)