Section 144-700-9.0 - Contact with Families9.1.The Panel Coordinator shall not contact families prior to 4 months after the date of the death of the mother, fetus or infant. 9.2. Initial family contact shall occur through a letter from the State Health Officer on the letterhead of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and shall include the following information: An invitation for the family to participate in a home interview and/or medical record review through a voluntary process.
The data gathered will be used to determine and understand the significant social, economic, cultural, safety, and health care delivery system factors that are associated with fetal, infant and maternal mortality.
The information obtained is confidential, and the name of the deceased person and his or her family or other identifying information cannot be released.
A family may decline participation in the home interview, medical record review, or both.
Information on bereavement services shall be offered regardless of status of participation in the interview and/or review process.
9.3.The initial family contact shall also include an invitation to participate in a review of the death of the deceased person from a statewide organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.9.4. Upon family request, referrals shall be made to the Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Nursing, to provide information on available services.9.5. No family shall be required to accept any services offered.9.6. In the event of documented family objection to participation or indication of unwillingness to participate, the Panel Coordinator shall not collect or gather any confidential medical information relating to death of the infant and/or mother.9.7. In the event the family wishes to revoke the consent, the Panel shall not pursue any further review of the case.10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 700, § 9.0