Section 216-RICR-20-10-4.20 - School Disease Reporting RequirementsA. In accordance with the Rules and Regulations pertaining to Part 30-05-1 of this Title, Reporting and Testing of Infectious, Environmental and Occupational Diseases, the basic responsibility for reporting infectious, environmental and occupational diseases lies with:1. Physicians licensed in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-37 who are attending the case or suspected case;3. Other authorized health professionals working under the auspices of a physician; and4. Other health care professionals authorized by law or Regulation to practice independently (e.g., registered nurse practitioners).5. In the school setting, this requirement encompasses school nurses directed by a physician to report in accordance with the regulatory requirements cited above.6. Licensed health care facilities that operate school-based health clinics must report communicable, environmental and occupational diseases in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Licensing of Organized Ambulatory Care Facilities and Part 30-05-1 of this Title, Reporting and Testing of Infectious, Environmental and Occupational Diseases.B. In accordance with Part 30-05-1 of this Title, Reporting and Testing of Infectious, Environmental and Occupational Diseases, any health care provider (e.g., school physicians, school nurses, school dentists/dental hygienist) having knowledge of any outbreak or undue prevalence of infectious or parasitic disease or infestation (based upon his/her professional judgment), whether listed in this Part or not, must promptly report the facts to RIDOH. Exotic diseases and unusual group expressions of illness that may be of public health concern should also be reported immediately.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-20-10-4.20
Amended effective 4/11/2022