Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 37 - MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH SERVICES › Subchapter M - TEXAS PERINATAL CARE SYSTEM › Section 37.257 - Perinatal Plans

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) The perinatal
				  resource coordinating group (PRCG) in each perinatal planning area (PPA) shall
				  submit for approval to the department an initial perinatal plan concerning the
				  provision of perinatal care for women of child-bearing age and infants within
				  the PPA. The plan shall be submitted in a format specified by the
				  department.
(b) Each PRCG shall
				  submit an annual revised plan in a format specified by the
				  department.
(c) The initial plan
				  and any revisions shall be subject to approval by the department, contingent
				  upon documentation of the following:
(1)
				  individuals representing the geographic and demographic diversity of all
				  counties within the PPA have been involved in the development and
				  implementation of the plan;
(2)
				  individuals representing all perinatal care facilities have been given an
				  opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation process, through
				  participation in either the PRCG or the perinatal network(s);
(3) mechanisms are in place for communication
				  and coordination of services among the PPA perinatal network(s);
(4) the plan includes:
(A) a list of participants in the PRCG and
				  the perinatal network(s);
(B) a
				  list of identified strengths and unmet needs of the PPA based on analysis of
				  the PPA data, registered complaints, and discussions with consumers,
				  community-based support entities, and perinatal providers;
(C) a list of goals and objectives to improve
				  the quality of perinatal care based upon the identified strengths and unmet
				  needs in the PPA and the health outcomes measures referenced in §
												37.258
				  of this title (relating to Data Analysis and Progress Report);
(D) mechanisms for completing referrals and
				  returning reports of care provided among the perinatal care
				  providers;
(E) protocols for
				  exchange of confidential patient records among participating providers in the
				  perinatal planning area;
(F)
				  descriptions of emergency transport capability requirements and
				  protocols;
(G) protocols for
				  at-risk and emergency maternal and neonatal transfer from one hospital to
				  another for the purpose of receiving more intensive or specialized
				  care;
(H) protocols for return
				  transfer of a pregnant woman and/or her infant from a referral center to the
				  original referring hospital or to a local hospital for continuing
				  care;
(I) triage criteria for
				  appropriate level referrals; and
(J) mechanisms and protocols for:
(i) conducting high-risk screening and
				  counseling guidance;
(ii)
				  increasing community awareness of the existence of the perinatal plan(s) and
				  the importance of early and preventive care for women of child-bearing age and
				  infants;
(iii) increasing consumer
				  access to the perinatal network(s);
(iv) continuing improvement of the quality of
				  perinatal care; and
(v)
				  community-based and area-wide perinatal health education, health promotion, and
				  dissemination of parenting information.