California Health and Safety Code § 1204.3

(a) An alternative birth center that is licensed as an alternative birth center specialty clinic pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 1204 shall, as a condition of licensure, and a primary care clinic licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1204 that provides services as an alternative birth center shall, meet all of the following requirements: (1) Provide perinatal services that are comprehensive in nature, including, but not limited to, all of the following, consistent with the standards of the midwifery and birth center model of care and as described in paragraph (3): (A) Psychosocial assessments. (B) When appropriate, referrals to counseling. (C) Nutritional assessments. (D) When appropriate, referrals to counseling on food supplement programs, vitamins, and breastfeeding. (E) Education on overall health, childbirth, and parenting. (2) Maintain a quality assurance program. (3) Meet the standards for certification established by the American Association of Birth Centers, or at least equivalent standards as determined by the state department. (4) In addition to standards of the American Association of Birth Centers regarding proximity to hospitals and presence of attendants at births, meet both of the following conditions: (A) Have and implement a written policy for hospital transfer, approved by the governing body of the alternative birth center or the governing body of the primary care clinic that provides services as an alternative birth center, as applicable. The written policy shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (i) The specific arrangements for the referral of a complication to a physician and surgeon for consultation. The certified nurse-midwife or licensed midwife shall not be required to identify a specific physician and surgeon. (ii) The specific arrangements for the transfer of care during the prenatal period, hospital transfer during the intrapartum and postpartum periods, and access to appropriate emergency medical services for the patient or client and the baby if necessary, and recommendations for preregistration at a hospital that has obstetric emergency services and is most likely to receive the transfer. (iii) A requirement that at the time of transfer the certified nurse-midwife or licensed midwife, who was responsible for the patient’s or client’s care immediately prior to the time of transfer, provide the hospital with all of the transferred patient’s or client’s medical records that are available at the time of the transfer, including prenatal records, and speak with the receiving provider who is responsible for the patient’s or client’s hospital care at the time of transfer, about labor up to the point of the transfer, including any information that has not yet been added to the medical record. Other records that are not yet available or included in the medical record shall be sent as soon as practicable after transfer. (iv) A requirement that, during consultation with the patient or client at the time of initial orientation to the alternative birth center, or the primary care clinic that provides services as an alternative birth center, and its model of care, all patients and clients be informed of the estimated transfer time, which is the expected duration from departure from the birth center to arrival at the planned receiving hospital. This information shall also include a clear explanation of the birth center’s overall emergency transfer plan, including specified measures in place to mitigate any risk associated with distance from the planned receiving hospital and to ensure safe transfer for both pregnant person and fetus or neonate. This information shall be provided in writing and shall be included in the patient’s or client’s medical file with the patient’s or client’s signed acknowledgment. (B) Require the presence of at least two attendants at all times during birth, one of whom shall be a physician and surgeon, a licen

‹ Prev All California sections Next ›

Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.