SB 851 Summary

• Requires all birthing facilities licensed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health to perform pulse oximetry screening on every newborn before discharge.

• Establishes legislative findings that congenital heart defects affect 7-9 of every 1,000 live births and are a leading cause of infant death, with current screening methods detecting less than half of cases.

• Defines "birthing facility" as any inpatient or ambulatory health care facility licensed by the State Department of Health that provides birthing and newborn care services.

• Directs the State Board of Health to promulgate rules necessary to implement the pulse oximetry screening requirement.

• Effective July 1, 2013, with emergency declaration allowing immediate implementation.