Rule 511-5-4-.03. Provisions

1. (1) Unless the patient declines screening, every pregnant woman shall have a blood specimen taken as prescribed herein for a standard serologic test for syphilis, a standard serologic test for HIV, a standard serologic test for hepatitis B and a standard serologic test for hepatitis C.

2. (2) Every health care provider in this state providing prenatal care to a pregnant woman, or delivering or attending a woman just delivered, shall take or cause to be taken a venous blood specimen for submission to a clinical laboratory for a standard serologic test for syphilis, a standard serologic test for HIV, a standard serologic test for hepatitis B and a standard serologic test for hepatitis C, as follows:

   1. (a) At the initial visit to the health care provider for prenatal care, a standard serologic test for:

      1. 1. Syphilis;
      2. 2. HIV;
      3. 3. Hepatitis B; and
      4. 4. Hepatitis C.

   2. (b) In the third trimester:

      1. 1. A standard serologic test for syphilis, as required in O.C.G.A. Section 31-17-4.2. The specimen shall be taken at 28-32 weeks of gestation;
      2. 2. A standard serologic test for HIV, as required in O.C.G.A. Section 31-17-4.2. The specimen shall be taken at 28-32 weeks of gestation; and
      3. 3. A standard serologic test for hepatitis C if the woman has known or potential exposures to hepatitis C.

   3. (c) As soon as possible upon admission to the hospital or birth facility for delivery:

      1. 1. A standard serologic test for syphilis;
      2. 2. A standard serologic test for HIV;
      3. 3. A standard serologic test for Hepatitis B, for women not tested prenatally, with signs or symptoms of hepatitis, or at high risk for hepatitis B; and
      4. 4. A standard serologic test for Hepatitis C, for women not tested prenatally.
3. (3) Patients shall be notified of all tests to be conducted and shall have the opportunity to refuse the test.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-6, 31-12-3, 31-17-4.

History. Original Rule entitled "Provisions" adopted. F. Sep. 20, 2013; eff. Oct. 10, 2013.

Amended: F. Aug. 1, 2022; eff. Aug. 31, 2022, as specified by the Agency.

Amended: F. Feb. 13, 2025; eff. Mar. 12, 2025, as specified by the Agency.