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§ 18-214.1. Expedited partner therapy

West's Annotated Code of MarylandHealth--GeneralEffective: October 1, 2017

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Health--General
Title 18. Disease Prevention (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 2. Reports; Preventive Actions (Refs & Annos)
Part II. Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases
Effective: October 1, 2017
MD Code, Health - General, § 18-214.1
§ 18-214.1. Expedited partner therapy
Purpose
(a) The purpose of expedited partner therapy is to provide antibiotic therapy to any partner of a patient diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection identified in subsection (b) of this section in order to:
(1) Contain and stop the further spread of the infection; and
(2) Reduce the likelihood of reinfection in the diagnosed patient.
Antibiotic therapy
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following health care providers may prescribe, dispense, or otherwise provide antibiotic therapy to any sexual partner of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis without making a personal physical assessment of the patient's partner:
(1) A physician licensed under Title 14 of the Health Occupations Article;
(2) An advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority licensed under Title 8 of the Health Occupations Article acting in accordance with § 8-508 of the Health Occupations Article;
(3) An authorized physician assistant licensed under Title 15 of the Health Occupations Article acting in accordance with § 15-302.2 of the Health Occupations Article; and
(4) A registered nurse employed by a local health department who complies with:
(i) The formulary developed and approved under § 3-403(b) of this article; and
(ii) The requirements established under § 8-512 of the Health Occupations Article.
Construction of section
(c) This section may not be construed to otherwise expand the prescribing or dispensing authority of an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority or a physician assistant.
Licensed pharmacist may dispense antibiotic therapy
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a pharmacist licensed under Title 12 of the Health Occupations Article may dispense antibiotic therapy prescribed in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
Regulations
(e) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this section in public and private health care settings in the State.

Credits

Added by Acts 2007, c. 146, § 1, eff. July 1, 2007. Amended by Acts 2015, c. 44, § 1, eff. June 1, 2015; Acts 2015, c. 183, § 1, eff. June 1, 2015; Acts 2017, c. 822, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017.
MD Code, Health - General, § 18-214.1, MD HEALTH GEN § 18-214.1
Current through legislation effective through May 9, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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