La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § V-6715

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-6715 - Care in the Home

A. Health Aspects

1. Responsibility for the health supervision of the maternity home shall be placed in a licensed physician or a group of licensed physicians appointed by the governing body. A physician shall approve written procedures governing the following:

a. medications and treatment that may be given without specific orders from a licensed physician or by a physician designated by him;

b. circumstances under which a physician shall be called;

c. action to be taken in case of emergency;

d. a special diet if required; and

e. household tasks that may be required. The physician shall review annually the health practices within the maternity home and certify in writing that they meet the licensing requirements.

2. Unless the maternity home requires, prior to admission, a statement from a physician that the expectant mother is free from communicable diseases, the maternity home shall have an isolation facility available. The expectant mother admitted without the statement from the physician shall be placed in isolation until she has had a complete physical examination to determine her freedom from communicable diseases.

3. The expectant mother shall be placed immediately under medical supervision. She shall have a physical examination within a week after admission to the home and at least monthly prior to confinement and before discharge. Should she leave the home before she is medically discharged, this fact shall be recorded on her medical record.

4. Nourishing food, attractively served, shall be provided. The diet shall be planned in consultation with a nurse, or if a special diet, the physician in charge. Necessary changes in diet prescribed in individual cases by the physician shall be followed.

5. A complete medical record shall be maintained on each expectant mother when she delivers at the maternity home. The case worker or nurse is responsible for maintaining a record for each expectant mother who delivers in public or private hospitals. This record shall contain dates of visits to the medical facility and a summary of medical consultation. Delivery information on the infant shall be recorded. These records shall be maintained in locked files.

6. When an infant is admitted for care into the home's nursery, all standards for child caring institutions apply.

E. Program

1. Regulations

a. The regulations of the maternity home shall not infringe on the expectant mother's privilege of writing and receiving uncensored mail and visits from her family.

b. The same food shall be served to the staff and expectant mothers when they dine together, except when special diets must be prepared for any of the expectant mothers.

c. A mother who wishes to give personal attention to her baby, such as bathing and feeding, shall be permitted to do so.

d. An expectant mother shall be allowed a choice of duties, insofar as possible.

2. Recreation

a. A recreational program shall be provided which will meet the individual needs of the expectant mothers. This program shall consist of a well-stocked library, magazines, newspapers, games, radio or television, piano, and record players. It is desirable to encourage arts and crafts with proper leadership. There shall be provision for outdoor activities. The yard should provide for privacy and be equipped with comfortable outdoor furniture. Expectant mothers interested in community activities should be encouraged to participate.

3. Education

a. Every effort shall be made to arrange continued education for girls under 16 and for older girls whose schooling has been interrupted. Vocational training when appropriate should be encouraged. Household duties should have an educational value.

4. Religion

a. Expectant mothers shall have the privilege of attending the church of their choice. Religious services should be available in the maternity home to those expectant mothers wishing to attend. An expectant mother wishing consultation with her pastor shall be provided the opportunity.

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § V-6715

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, Division of Licensing and Certification, LR 13:246 (April 1987), repromulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Residential Licensing, LR 33:2697 (December 2007), repromulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of Community Services, LR 35: 1573 (August 2009), amended LR 36:801 (April 2010).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:477 and R.S. 46:1401-1424

This Section has been moved from LAC 67:I.1715.