La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-6703
Active Labor-rapid cervical dilation beginning at six centimeters dilation.
Administrator-the person responsible for the on-site, daily implementation and supervision of the overall freestanding birth center's operation commensurate with the authority conferred by the governing body.
Apgar Score-an accepted and convenient method for reporting the status of the newborn immediately after birth and the response to resuscitation if it is needed.
Board-the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSMBE).
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)-an advanced practice registered nurse as defined by R.S. 37:913, or current law.
Cessation of Business-center is non-operational and/or has stopped offering or providing services to the community.
Change of Ownership (CHOW)-the addition, substitution, or removal, whether by sale, transfer, lease, gift, or otherwise, of a licensed healthcare provider subject to this rule by a person, corporation, or other entity, which results in a change of controlling interest of assets or other equity interests of the licensed entity may constitute a CHOW of the licensed entity.
Client-an individual who is receiving services from a licensed free-standing birth center.
Department-the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) or any of its sections, bureaus, offices or its contracted designee.
Division of Administrative Law (DAL)-the agency authorized to conduct fair hearings and take actions on appeals of departmental decisions as provided for in the Administrative Procedure Act, or its successor.
Employed-performance of a job or task for compensation, such as wages or a salary. An employed person may be one who is contracted or one who is hired for a staff position.
Emergent-a medical condition that, if not stabilized, could reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the person's life, serious permanent disfigurement, or loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ.
Family-individuals selected by the pregnant woman to be present and/or in attendance during her admission to the free-standing birth center.
Free-Standing Birth Center (FSBC)-a facility, place, center, agency, person, institution, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, group, or other legal entity which provides FSBC services and at which a person is anticipated to have an uncomplicated vaginal delivery following a low-risk pregnancy. An FSBC does not include a hospital licensed pursuant to R.S. 40:2100 et seq., nor does it include the place of residence of the person giving birth.
Free-Standing Birth Center Services-peripartum care, including prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum, and services for people with low-risk pregnancies provided at free-standing birth centers. This includes any ancillary ambulatory service provided to a person at low risk for pregnancy complications, if such services are within the scope of practice of the individual providing the service.
Governing Body-the individual or group of individuals who are legally responsible for the operation of the FSBC, including management, control, conduct and functioning of the FSBC, also known as the governing authority.
Health Standards Section (HSS)-Department of Health, Office of the Secretary, Health Standards Section.
Intrapartum-the period beginning with active labor to the expulsion of the placenta.
Licensed Midwife-a licensed healthcare practitioner who is acting within the scope of practice of his/her respective licensing board(s) and/or certifications.
Licensed Healthcare Practitioner-a licensed physician or CNM, or a licensed midwife.
Line of Credit-a credit arrangement with a federally insured, licensed lending institution which is established to assure that the provider has available funds as needed to continue the operations of the agency and the provision of services to clients. The line of credit shall be issued to the licensed entity and shall be specific to the geographic location shown on the license. For purposes of FSBC licensure, the line of credit shall not be a loan, credit card or a bank balance.
Lochia-the normal discharge from the uterus after childbirth occurring three to ten days after delivery.
Low-Risk Pregnancy-a normal, uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy that has vertex presentation and is at low risk for development of complications during labor and birth, as determined from an evaluation and examination conducted by a physician or other practitioner or individual acting within the scope of his or her practice.
Miscarried Child-the fetal remains resulting from a spontaneous fetal death that does not require compulsory registration pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 40:47.
National Standards-national standards for birth centers published or established by the American Association of Birth Centers, as well as requirements for accreditation published by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers.
Non-Operational-when the FSBC is not open for business operations on designated days and hours as stated on the licensing application.
Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)-an agency of the Department of Public Safety responsible for architectural and licensing plan review and inspections for life safety codes.
Perineal Laceration-a tear of the skin and other soft tissue structures which, in women, separate the vagina from the anus. Perineal tears manly occur in women as a result of vaginal childbirth and vary in severity.
Physician-a licensed healthcare practitioner who is acting within the scope of practice of his/her respective licensing board(s) and/or certifications.
Physician Evaluation and Examination-physician evaluation and examination as provided in R.S. 37:3244 to determine whether, at the time of such evaluation and examination, the individual is at low or normal risk of developing complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Postmature-gestational age of greater than 42 weeks.
Postpartum-the period beginning immediately after childbirth in accordance with current standards of practice.
Practice of Midwifery-holding oneself out to the public as being engaged in the business of attending, assisting, or advising a woman during the various phases of the interconceptional and childbearing periods.
Prenatal Care (Antepartum Care)-occurring or existing before birth. The prenatal period (also known as antenatal care) refers to the regular care recommended for women during pregnancy. Prenatal care is preventative care with the goal of providing regular check-ups that allow licensed healthcare practitioners to treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of pregnancy.
Preterm-prior to the thirty-seventh week of gestation.
Qualified Personnel-means that the individual is trained and competent in the services which he or she provides and is licensed or certified when required by statute or professional standard.
Scope of Practice-services that a licensed healthcare practitioner is deemed competent to perform and permitted to undertake, in keeping with the terms of their professional license.
Secretary-the secretary of LDH, or designee.
Standards-policies, procedures, rules, guidelines, and standards of current practice contained in this Part in addition to those rules and standards promulgated by LDH for the licensing and operation of free-standing birth centers.
Term-gestational age of greater or equal to 37 weeks but less than 42 weeks.
Transfer Agreement-a written agreement made with at least one receiving hospital in the community for the timely transport of emergency clients to a licensed hospital that will provide obstetric/newborn acute care should an emergency arise which would necessitate hospital care and services.
Uterine Atony-a loss of tone in the uterine musculature.
La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6703