W. Va. Code R. § 64-96-7

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024
Section 64-96-7 - Recommended Protocols for Review of Infant and Maternal Mortality

The following are recommended protocols to aid in the review of infant and maternal deaths:

7.1. All Infant and Maternal Mortality Review Team members shall sign a sworn statement promising to maintain the confidentiality of information, records, discussions and opinions disclosed during infant and maternal mortality reviews.
7.2. The Infant and Maternal Mortality Review Team may call for an immediate review of medical records requested from physicians and hospitals treating the infant before death or woman before, during and after her pregnancy to try and determine causes and possible preventative measures related to the death;
7.3. Review Team members shall receive materials in advance of the meeting and review cases de-identified following nationally recommended guidelines and processes at meetings.
7.4. Physicians and health care providers asked to supply medical records shall do so for evaluation/review purposes only regarding the death of the infant in the first year of life or woman during her pregnancy, at the time of birth or within one year of the birth of a child. Patient, hospital, and medical practitioner names are removed following nationally recommended guidelines and processes to ensure confidentiality.
7.5. Infant and maternal mortality review data forms shall be completed using the provided information from medical records received from physicians and health care providers. Data will be compiled for the annual report to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature. No identifying information will be released in this report, only compiled data following nationally recommended guidelines and processes will be used.
7.6. Summaries and reports on Team findings and recommendations that depict patterns and trends in infant and maternal deaths shall be presented in aggregate form.
7.7. All case review materials are collected at the conclusion of each meeting and properly destroyed.

W. Va. Code R. § 64-96-7