Section 264.2250  Transfer Agreement

a)         A birth center shall link and integrate its services with at least one birthing hospital (referral hospital) with a minimum of level 1 perinatal designation, as defined in the Regionalized Perinatal Health Code.  (Section 20(a) of the Act)

b)         The birth center shall have an established agreement (transfer agreement) with a nearby receiving birthing hospital (referral hospital) with policies and procedures for timely transfer of maternal and neonatal clients (within 30 minutes for rural and nonrural hospitals). The agreement shall include a determination of maternal and neonatal conditions necessitating consultation and referral.  This should include plans for communication with the receiving hospital (referral hospital) before and after transfer and cases requiring review during the Morbidity and Mortality review with the referral hospital.  (Section 20(b) of the Act).

c)         The birth center's transfer agreement with the referral hospital shall include the staff required to transfer clients, the staff responsible for initiating transport, the mode of emergency transportation between facilities, and information regarding the referral hospital's coordinated procedures with an APC in the event of a need to transfer a high-risk newborn pursuant to Section 264.1800(f).