Lyme testing requires patient notification

Gov. John Carney signed Senate Bill 15 at Cape Henlopen Park Nature Center Aug. 21. The bill, primarily sponsored by Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, states a healthcare provider who draws the blood of a patient to perform a laboratory test for Lyme disease shall provide the patient with the following written notice, or a substantially similar notice, at the time the patient’s blood is drawn: “Your healthcare provider has ordered a laboratory test for the presence of Lyme disease for you. Current laboratory testing for Lyme disease, like all standard laboratory tests, can result in false negatives and false positives. If you continue to experience unexplained symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider and inquire about the appropriateness of retesting or initial or additional treatment.”

Carney said, “This legislation itself is like so much of the legislation in Delaware - so many of the bills that I sign are something that came from the people.”