This bill mandates that the Commissioner of Health require all hospitals, licensed birthing centers, federally qualified health centers, and healthcare practitioners in New Jersey to screen pregnant individuals and those who have recently given birth for preeclampsia if they exhibit symptoms of the condition. The screening tools must adhere to industry best practices as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or another designated nationally-recognized body. Additionally, healthcare providers must inform patients about preeclampsia, its warning signs, and the benefits of screening, while also encouraging routine home blood pressure monitoring.
Furthermore, the bill stipulates that patients must acknowledge receipt of information regarding preeclampsia and that they are required to be screened unless they provide a written refusal. The Commissioner is tasked with developing a standardized form for this acknowledgment and refusal, as well as an educational program in collaboration with the Preeclampsia Foundation and other community organizations. Upon receiving screening results, healthcare providers are required to discuss the findings with the patient and, if necessary, create a treatment plan to address any identified risks associated with preeclampsia.