10A NCAC 46 .0205          MATERNAL HEALTH

(a)  A local health department shall provide, contract for the provision of, or certify the availability of maternal health services for all individuals within the jurisdiction of the local health department.  A local health department shall establish, implement, and maintain written policies which shall include:

(1)           A description of the procedures for maternal health services provided by the local health department, a copy of the contract for the provision of maternal health services, or a certification of availability of maternal health services.  These maternal health services shall include:

(A)          Pregnancy testing, information, and referral as appropriate;

(B)          Ongoing prenatal care to all pregnant women, not served by another health care resource, through one or more of the following mechanisms:

(i)            Referral to other health care providers;

(ii)           contracts with other health care providers; or

(iii)          provision of the following prenatal services in a local health department maternity clinic:

(I)            Initial history, and physical and laboratory examinations;

(II)          assessment of medical, nutritional, and social problems;

(III)        weekly assessments by a physician or a registered nurse, as medically indicated;

(IV)         laboratory, nutrition, and patient education follow‑up services;

(V)          high‑risk identification and referral; and

(VI)         scheduling of postpartum visits.

(2)           A description of the target population for maternal health services provided by the local health department, including eligibility criteria.  The local health department shall emphasize provision of maternal health services to individuals who would not otherwise have access to these services.

(3)           A description of fees, if any, for maternal health services provided by the local health department.

(b)  A local health department shall establish, implement, and maintain written policies for the provision of community and patient maternal health education services within the jurisdiction of the local health department.  Education services shall promote healthy lifestyles for good pregnancy outcome.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑9;

Eff. October 1, 1984;

Transferred and Recodified from 10 NCAC 12 .0231 Eff. April 4, 1990;

Amended Eff. September 1, 1990;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 5, 2016.