Ala. Admin. Code r. 582-X-3-.03

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 582-X-3-.03 - General Standards For The Practice Of Licensed Midwifery In Alabama

(1) Licensed midwifery is the provision by a licensed midwife of the necessary supervision, care, and advice to a woman during normal pregnancy, labor and the 6-week postpartum period; conducting a normal delivery of a child in the setting of the client' s choice except a hospital.

(2) A Licensed Midwife care is provided by qualified practitioners. The licensed midwife:

(a) is regulated by the Alabama State Board of Midwifery; and

(b) is in compliance with the legal requirements of the State of Alabama while practicing in the state.

(3) A Licensed Midwife supports individual rights and self-determination within the boundaries of safety. The licensed midwife shall provide clients with all required documents and forms in accordance with the Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-19-16(b);

(a) LM's education, training and experience;

(b) Antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum conditions of client or newborn requiring medical referral, transfer of care, and transport to hospital and the plan to do so;

(c) Instructions for filing a complaint;

(d) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) statement;

(e) Status of Professional Liability Insurance coverage;

(f) Statement from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding the safety of midwifery care in out-of-hospital settings;

(g) Informed consent form; and

(h) Emergency care form.

(4) The Licensed Midwife will provide clients with information about other providers and services when requested, or when the care required is not within the scope of practice of licensed midwifery, or as further limited by the practice guidelines of the individual licensed midwife; and

(5) The Licensed Midwife will practice in accordance with the knowledge, clinical skills, and judgments described in the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice, within the bounds of the midwifery scope of practice as defined by Act 2017-383; the Alabama State Board of Midwifery Standards for the Practice of Licensed Midwifery in Alabama and; the practice guidelines of the individual midwifery practice.

(6) The Licensed Midwife shall provide care in a safe and clean environment. The Licensed Midwife shall use universal precautions for infection control.

(7) The Licensed Midwife shall document care in legible, complete health records. The licensed midwife shall:

(a) maintain records that completely and accurately document the client's care;

(b) grant clients access to their records within 30 days of the date the request is received;

(c) provide a mechanism for sending a copy of the health record upon referral or transfer to other levels of care;

(d) maintain the confidentiality of client records; and maintain records:

1. for the mother, for a minimum of five years; and

2. for the infant, until the age of majority.

(8) The Licensed Midwife shall undergo a periodic process of evaluation and quality assurance of midwifery practice through Peer Review as outlined in the NARM Job Analysis. The licensed midwife shall:

(a) collect client care data systematically in accordance with the Act 2017-383 and be involved in analysis of that data for the evaluation of the process and outcome of care;

(b) review problems identified by the licensed midwife or by other professionals or consumers in the community; and

(c) act to resolve problems that are identified.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 582-X-3-.03

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 12, September 28, 2018, eff. 11/9/2018.

Author: Alabama State Board of Midwifery

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-19-14, et seq.