2616.1 Each maternity center shall admit for labor and delivery only low risk individuals. A low risk individual is one who:

1. (a) Has been determined to be in general good health;
2. (b) Meets the reasonable and generally accepted criteria of good maternal and fetal health;
3. (c) Participates in ongoing prenatal care, including maternity health education;
4. (d) Has no major medical or mental health problems;
5. (e) Has had no significant obstetrical complications which are likely to recur; and
6. (f) Is anticipated to have an uncomplicated course of pregnancy and labor, including a normal spontaneous vaginal birth without the use of general or conductive anesthesia.

2616.2 Each maternity center shall fully inform each patient of the risks and benefits of using the center and shall obtain the written, informed consent of each patient intending to use the maternity center for labor and delivery.

2616.3 Each consent form shall include, but not be limited to the center's services, transfer policy, newborn infant screening procedures, eye prophylaxis of the newborn infant and any other District of Columbia requirements.

2616.4 Each maternity center shall provide for patients and their families an orientation program that shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. (a) The philosophy and goals of the center;
2. (b) The services that are available in the center, and if the center makes referrals, services that may be made available by referral, consultation, or contract, including child birth education, EPSDT, well-child care, sibling classes, genetic services, breast feeding education and counseling, WIC services, nutritional counseling, parenting support, drop-in support, social work and legal assistance, and laboratory/X-ray/sonography;
3. (c) Explanation of charges and payment procedures;
4. (d) A tour of the maternity center; and

(e) Verbal and written information on the benefits and risks of using the services available at the center.

2616.5 Each maternity center shall develop written policies for visits by family and other support persons.

SOURCE: Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 46 DCR 2779 (March 19, 1999); as amended by Corrected Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 46 DCR 3970 (April 30, 1999).