NAC449.61162. Requirements for transfer or discharge of patient.

     1. A maternal patient or newborn baby, as appropriate, may not be transferred from an obstetric center unless the transfer is appropriate based on the risk assessment of the maternal patient or newborn baby and the member of the medical staff determines that:

     (a) The maternal patient is at high risk for a complicated labor or delivery and does not meet the criteria for a low-risk, uncomplicated labor and delivery; or

     (b) The medical needs of the maternal patient or newborn baby exceed the capability of the obstetric center to provide the necessary care.

     2. A maternal patient or newborn baby, as appropriate, may not be discharged from the obstetric center unless the discharge is appropriate based on the risk assessment of the maternal patient or newborn baby and a member of the medical staff determines that:

     (a) If the maternal patient has not given birth, the maternal patient is not in active labor; or

     (b) The maternal patient has had a normal low-risk, uncomplicated birth and that further medical problems or complications resulting from the birth are not anticipated.

     3. The criteria for the transfer of a maternal patient or newborn baby must be written and included in the manual for the policy and procedure of the obstetric center.

     4. If a maternal patient or newborn baby must be transferred, the maternal patient or newborn baby must be transferred to a hospital or other medical facility which is capable of providing a higher level of obstetrical and neonatal care and with which the obstetric center has a written agreement that acknowledges that the hospital or medical facility agrees to accept emergency maternal patients without regard to their ability to pay.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 7-19-96)