Additionally, all patients seen at MCG are screened for various risk factors, indications for additional services, and eligibility for payor sources. Fourteen pregnancy-related topics are covered in the classes. Some of the topics include prenatal self care, prenatal and infant nutrition, fetal growth and development, prenatal and infant oral hygiene, preparation for childbirth, family planning, infant care, infant safety, and breast feeding. Special classes for teen patients are conducted. The nursing staff refers patients to other disciplines, when appropriate, i.e. dietary counseling, social service intervention.
Problems requiring intervention, for example, are violence and abuse, adoption, and fetal death.
Identified nutritional risk factors are followed up and reviewed frequently. Counseling and instruction for physician prescribed diets are also provided. All professional disciplines participate in determining patients' medical and financial eligibility for assistance with payments for their hospital bills through the Georgia Maternal Benefits Budget. In order that those patients needing services at MCG may get to the tertiary center, a transportation system is provided from fourteen of the outlying counties. Tracking and follow up of these infants is coordinated with the local health department providing primary health care or to private providers if available and desired by the patient.