LAC 51:II.301. Measures to Prevent Ophthalmia Neonatorum at Time of Birth of an Infant [formerly paragraph 2:020]

A. It shall be the duty of the attending physician, midwife, nurse or other person in attendance on a parturient person to use prophylactic measures at the time of delivery to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, such as the instillation into both eyes of the newborn a 1 percent solution of nitrate of silver, a 1/2 percent erythromycin ophthalmic ointment or drops, a 1 percent tetracycline ophthalmic ointment or drops, all in single dose or single use containers, or an equally efficient agent, as determined by the state health officer. This duty is waived if the newborn has no evidence of ophthalmia neonatorum and the mother of the newborn states in writing that she objects to the application of such prophylactic agent on religious ground.