Rule 511-2-3-.03 - Duties and Responsibilities of the County Health Departments(1) It is the general responsibility of the LCHD to see that proper and reasonable measures are put into effect to prevent the spread of tuberculosis from any person capable of spreading it. In order to fulfill its responsibility the LCHD shall: (a) ensure that all available tuberculosis control services are accessible to all residents;(b) secure the prompt reporting of all diagnosed or suspected cases of tuberculosis;(c) ensure effective treatment and continuing medical supervision of suspected and diagnosed cases of tuberculosis;(d) ensure that contacts are identified and brought to examination, diagnostic conclusion and appropriate treatment if needed;(e) provide for the discharge from supervision of patients whose treatment has been successfully completed; and(f) keep each referring physician or institution informed as to the treatment of each referred patient.(2) The LCHD shall promptly interview all reported or known persons who have a confirmed or suspected case of contagious tuberculosis.(3) If, upon information obtained by an agent, the LCHD has reasonable cause to conclude that a person has a suspected or confirmed case of tuberculosis which needs prompt medical evaluation, the LCHD shall issue to the person a written order directing him/her to appear at a specified time and place to comply with a written plan of evaluation. The LCHD shall attach to the order a statement containing its factual basis and shall inform the person of the right to respond in writing to allegations in the statement prior to the scheduled time of the evaluation.(4) If the person fails to submit to the planned evaluation and has not presented to the LCHD satisfactory reasons why such an evaluation is unnecessary, the LCHD may, in its discretion, file either a petition for an order of compliance or commitment.(5) If, upon information obtained by an agent of the LCHD, the LCHD has reasonable cause to conclude that a minor may have been exposed to tuberculosis, the LCHD shall issue an order to the parent, guardian or custodian of the minor directing him/her at a specified date and place either to allow tuberculosis screening of the minor by the LCHD or to provide evidence of such screening by a licensed physician. The LCHD shall attach to the order a statement setting forth its factual basis and shall inform the parent, guardian or custodian of his/her right to respond in writing to allegations in the statement prior to the specified date of the screening, or submission of evidence thereof.(6) If on the specified time the parent, guardian or custodian fails to submit the minor for screening and has not presented medical evidence or other written evidence that such screening is unnecessary, the Department may at its discretion file a petition for the screening of a minor in superior court.(7) After it has identified a confirmed or suspected case of tuberculosis, the LCHD shall seek to implement a written plan of treatment which shall be explained to the patient who will be given an opportunity to consent to it in writing.(8) The written plan of treatment shall contain a detailed description of the required cooperation of the patient and the set time schedule of any directly observed intake of prescribed drugs.(9) The LCHD shall also explain orally and in writing to the patient the value of treatment and why drugs must be taken for the patient's recovery, control of cough, the prevention of the possible emergence of drug resistant organisms, and to prevent the spread of the disease to others.(10) If, upon information obtained by an agent of the LCHD, the LCHD has reasonable cause to conclude that a patient is failing to comply with a plan of treatment, the LCHD shall issue a written order to the patient directing him/her to present evidence of an intention to comply with the plan of treatment by a specified date. The LCHD shall attach to the order a statement setting forth its factual basis and shall inform the person of his/her right to respond in writing to the allegations in the statement prior to the specified date.(11) If by the specified date, the patient fails to present to the LCHD evidence that he/she has complied or intends to comply with the plan of treatment, the LCHD may in its discretion issue a quarantine order against the patient or file a judicial petition for an order of compliance or commitment. No such action, however, shall be taken against a patient who voluntarily accepts inpatient treatment recommended by the LCHD.(12) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other regulation in this chapter, if the LCHD is unable to locate the person to be named in the petition after a good faith effort to do so, or if an imminent danger to public health exists, the LCHD may in its discretion file for a petition for commitment or compliance or issue a quarantine order without first issuing an order to the person.(13) If a person fails to comply with a quarantine order or a judicial order, the LCHD may institute contempt, injunction, or other judicial enforcement action against the person as is authorized by law.(14) The LCHD must notify the Director of the State Tuberculosis Control Program or his designee of the intent to initiate commitment proceedings and obtain confirmation of the availability of a bed for such patient before instituting commitment proceedings.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 511-2-3-.03
O.C.G.A. Secs. 31-2A-6, 31-14-1, 31-14-10, 31-14-12.
Original Rule entitled "Duties and Responsibilities of the County Health Departments" adopted.. F. Sep. 20, 2013; eff. Oct. 10, 2013.