550. As used in this article, “ophthalmia neonatorum,” independent of the nature of the infection, means any condition of the eye, or eyes, of any infant in which there is any inflammation, swelling or redness in either one or both of the eyes of any infant, either apart from or together with any unnatural discharge […]
551. It is the duty of any physician, surgeon, obstetrician, midwife, nurse, maternity home or hospital of any nature, parent, relative, and any person or persons attendant upon, or assisting in any way whatsoever, either the mother or child, or both, at childbirth, to treat both eyes of the infant within two hours after birth […]
552. Any case of ophthalmia neonatorum or of blindness resulting from it upon which one accused of a violation of this article has been in attendance constitutes prima facie evidence of knowledge of the case by the one accused. (Added by Stats. 1937, Ch. 419.)
553. All maternity homes, hospitals, and similar institutions wherein childbirths occur shall keep a record of all cases of ophthalmia neonatorum occurring or discovered therein. These records shall be in the form and contain the matters which the department prescribes. (Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 429.)
554. The local health officer shall: (a) Investigate each case filed with him in pursuance of this article, and all other cases coming to his attention. (b) Report all cases of ophthalmia neonatorum coming to his knowledge, and the result of all investigations that he makes to the department, in such form as the department directs. (c) Conform […]
555. The State Department of Health Services shall: (a) Enforce the provisions of this article. (b) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out properly the provisions of this article. (c) Print and publish any further advice and information concerning the dangers of ophthalmia neonatorum and the necessity for prompt and effective treatment thereof, as it deems necessary. […]
556. The failure of any person mentioned in Section 551 to report, or the failure of any maternity home, hospital, or similar institution, to use the treatment prescribed in Section 551 and to record any and all cases of ophthalmia neonatorum, as directed in Section 553, or the failure or refusal of any person or […]
557. If the person is a physician, midwife, or is a person who is professionally employed, the third conviction is sufficient cause for the revocation of his license by the board which has jurisdiction over it. (Added by Stats. 1937, Ch. 419.)
558. One-half of all fines collected hereunder shall go to the county wherein the prosecution was had, and the remaining one-half thereof shall go into the state treasury and constitute a special fund to be expended by the department for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this article. (Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. […]
