Reporting Diseases — Tuberculosis

Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 4, subtit. 3

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 4-301 Laboratory test results.

§ 4-301. Laboratory test results. (a) Duty to report. If a medical laboratory performs mycobacterial drug susceptibility tests of cultures that are identified as M. tuberculosis and that have not been referred to the Maryland Laboratories Administration for this determination, the individual in charge of the laboratory must report the test results to the Commissioner. (b) When to report. Unless a different time is set by the Commissioner or by State law, the report must be made within 48 hours of obtaining the test results. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 4-302 Drugs suggesting treatment.

§ 4-302. Drugs suggesting treatment. (a) Duty to report. The individual in charge of any public or private pharmacy, other than a facility operated by the Department, must report to the Commissioner of Health whenever it dispenses any anti- tuberculosis medication that the Commissioner specifies by rule or regulation adopted under § 2-106 {“Rules and regulations”} of this article for purposes of this section. (b) When to report. Unless a different time is set by the Commissioner or by State law, the report must be made within 48 hours of having dispensed the medication. (c) Contents of report. In addition to the information required by § 4-102 {“Form and contents of reports”} of this title, the report must contain the following information: (1) the type, and strength of medication issued; (2) the daily dosage; (3) the dosing schedule; (4) the total amount prescribed; (5) the name and address of the physician who issued the prescription; and (6) the date the medication was dispensed. (d) Report not final diagnosis. The prescription of medication: (1) is not to be considered a final diagnosis; and (2) does not absolve the attending physician of the duty to report her or his diagnosis of the case under § 4-201 {“Physicians”} of this subtitle. (Text Conformed 03/10/21; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 4-303 Physician’s contact investigation.

§ 4-303. Physician’s contact investigation. (a) Duty to conduct. A physician who treats a patient with tuberculosis must: (1) thoroughly investigate all individuals who might have been exposed to the patient at home, work, or otherwise; or (2) request the Commissioner to undertake this investigation. (b) Duty to report. If the physician undertakes the investigation required by this section, the physician must report the results to the Commissioner. (c) Contents of report. In addition to any other information that the Commissioner requires, the report must contain: (1) evidence that an investigation has been thoroughly conducted; (2) the identity of the source case; and (3) the following information about each individual tested: (i) the date and type of test performed; (ii) the results of the test; and (iii) the personal information listed in § 4-102 {“Form and contents of reports”} of this title. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 4-304 Patient leaving hospital or institution.

§ 4-304. Patient leaving hospital or institution. (a) Duty to notify. If a patient with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of tuberculosis leaves a ward, emergency room, or outpatient department of a hospital or other institution without the consent or against the advice of a physician or other individual in charge, the physician or other individual in charge must notify the Commissioner of the patient’s departure. (b) When to notify. Unless a different time is set by the Commissioner or by State law, the notice must be given within 24 hours of the patient’s departure. (c) Action by Commissioner. The Commissioner may take whatever action is needed to protect the public from that patient. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 4-305 Discontinued treatment.

§ 4-305. Discontinued treatment. (a) Duty to notify. If any patient being treated for tuberculosis discontinues treatment before the period that the Commissioner sets for that treatment, the attending physician must notify the Commissioner of the discontinuance. (b) When to notify. Unless a different time is set by the Commissioner or by State law, the notice must be given within 24 hours of the discontinuance. (c) Action by Commissioner. The Commissioner may take whatever action is needed to protect the public from that patient. (Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 4-306 Death from tuberculosis.

§ 4-306. Death from tuberculosis. (a) Duty to report. Every physician or medical examiner must report to the Commissioner if he or she believes that an individual he or she attended or examined has died of tuberculosis. (b) When to report. Unless a different time is set by the Commissioner or by State law, the report must be made within 48 hours of the death or the discovery of the disease, whichever is later. (c) Contents of report. In addition to the information required by § 4-102 {“Form and contents of reports”} of this title, the report must contain the place of death. (Ord. 99-548.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/health/4/3Fetched: 10/25/2026