Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 140.000 - Licensure Of Clinics
Subpart I - BIRTH CENTER SERVICES
Section 140.901 - Birth Center Written Policies and Procedures
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
An applicant to add a birth center to its license shall develop, through an interdisciplinary team, written policies and procedures to ensure the safe operation of the birth center prior to submitting an application for approval. A birth center shall implement, review and revise, through an interdisciplinary team as needed, but not less than once a year, its written policies and procedures. A birth center shall ensure all staff, including any temporary staff and volunteers, are trained and determined to be competent as needed for their duties under the policies and procedures developed by the facility. A birth center's policies shall include at a minimum, but not be limited to:
(A) Patient admission criteria including specific information by which a woman's risk status will be established.
(B) Off-hour coverage.
(C) Consultation and referral for obstetric and pediatric care.
(D) Specific patient transfer criteria.
(E) Emergency procedures, including adult and neonatal intubation and resuscitation.
(F) Standards for medication procurement, storage and administration.
(G) Protocols for screening newborns for critical congenital heart disease with pulse oximetry or another test approved by the Department in accordance with Department guidelines.
