Section 22-B2619. DISCHARGE PLANNING AND POSTPARTUM CARE

 

2619.1Each patient shall receive counseling, including but not limited to, normal newborn infant behavior, normal newborn care, and accident prevention prior to discharge from the maternity center.

 

2619.2Discharge will be in accordance with the discharge policy of the maternity center.

 

2619.3Each maternity center shall conduct, on the day of discharge, an examination of all newborn infants discharged from the maternity center and the examination shall include but not be limited to:

 

(a)Complete physical examination, including vital signs;

 

(b)Recording of discharge:

 

(1)Weight;

 

(2)Height; and

 

(3)Head circumference;

 

(c)Performing routine testing of:

 

(1)Blood groups;

 

(2)Coombs, type and Rh only on Rh negative and O+ mothers;

 

(3)Hb and Hct;

 

(d)Performing metabolic screening in accordance with District of Columbia laws regarding time of evaluation, to include:

 

(1)PKU - 72 hours;

 

(2)Thyroid;

 

(3)MS - LTD;

 

(4)Hemocystinuria;

 

(5)Galactosemia;

 

(6)Sickle hemoglobinopathy; and

 

(7)Other, e.g., glucose testing for size/dates discrepancy;

 

(e)Indicate whether the following medications were administered or prescribed:

 

(1)Aqua Mephyton - 1mg 1M; and

 

(2)Ophthalmic prophylaxis for ophthalmonia neonatorum;

 

(f)Ensure newborn infant is feeding properly; and

 

(g)Complete documentation that the discharging professional has discussed all deviations from normal discovered during discharge examination with a physician consultant before discharge.

 

2619.4If any procedures and/or testing, including newborn screening, are not performed for any reason, release forms must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.

 

2619.5Each abnormal test shall be reported to the pediatrician/physician.

 

2619.6Each maternity center shall designate a qualified person to visit the home of the patient on the first day following discharge to provide:

 

(a)Patient teaching to include care of mother and infant; and

 

(b)Review results of discharge examination of mother and newborn infant.

 

2619.7Each maternity center shall designate a qualified person to visit the client on the third or fourth day following discharge to do the following:

 

(a)Review procedures implemented during the first visit;

 

(b)Collect a blood sample for newborn screening; and

 

(c)Examine for jaundice and/or anemia.

 

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).