Title 31, Chapter 8, Section 42
( 31-8-42)
Any hospital which operates an emergency service shall be required
to provide the appropriate, necessary emergency services to any
pregnant woman who is a resident of this state and who presents
herself in active labor to the hospital, if those services are
usually and customarily provided in that facility, which services
shall be provided within the scope of generally accepted practice
based upon the information furnished the hospital by the pregnant
woman, including such information as the pregnant woman reveals
concerning her prenatal care, diet, allergies, previous births,
general health information, and other such information as the
pregnant woman may furnish the hospital. If, in the medical judgment
of the physician responsible for the emergency service, the hospital
must transfer the patient because the hospital is unable to provide
appropriate treatment, the hospital where the patient has presented
herself shall: (1) Within the capabilities of the hospital provide such emergency
services as the circumstances require, which services shall be
provided within the scope of generally accepted practice based
upon the information furnished the hospital by the pregnant woman,
including such information as the pregnant woman reveals
concerning her prenatal care, diet, allergies, previous births,
general health information, and other such information as the
pregnant woman may furnish the hospital; (2) Contact an appropriate receiving hospital and notify such
hospital that the patient is in transit; (3) Arrange suitable transportation for the patient if necessary;
and (4) Send to the receiving hospital any available information on
the patient's history and condition. The transfer shall not be authorized until the physician considers
the patient sufficiently stabilized for transport. |