The patient must be warned if there is a possibility that the hospital may not
be able to supply expected facilities. For example, the birthing room may not
be available if there is a cluster of births on the day the patient delivers.
It is imperative that the patient be warned if the hospital cannot provide
essential services such as an emergency cesarean section within a short period.
If the patient is being delivered in a non-hospital-based birthing center, then
provisions for emergency transfer and its risks must be documented. The patient
must be informed of the potential consequences of such deficiencies and given
the opportunity to seek care elsewhere.
The physician should explain the call system, identify who will attend the
patient if her primary physician is not available, and be given an opportunity
to meet the substitute physician. If the primary physician is a member of a
multiphysician call system, the physician should make it clear to the patient
that she may be seen by any member of the group. It is critical that every
member of the group be aware of the existence of the patient's birth plan. A
substitute physician should not be allowed to abandon the plan unless it is
necessary because of unexpected medical complications. Any substitute physician
who disagrees with the way the primary physician manages deliveries should not
be in the same call system.
The Medical and Public
Health Law Site
The Best on the WWW Since 1995!
Copyright as to non-public domain materials
See DR-KATE.COM for home disaster preparation
Edward P. Richards, III, JD, MPH Webmaster
