This bill aims to enhance the safety and care of pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy by establishing minimum requirements for their discharge from medical facilities. It mandates that any hospital, clinic, urgent care, or emergency department in West Virginia must ensure that a licensed physician or certified nurse midwife examines the patient before discharge. Additionally, the facility is required to provide both written and verbal discharge instructions that cover critical information such as the expected progression of late-stage pregnancy, signs of labor, warning signs of pregnancy-related emergencies, and instructions for follow-up care.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of clear communication by requiring that discharge instructions be provided in a language that is understandable to the patient and accessible to those with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments. Furthermore, it mandates that the medical record document the provision and review of these instructions, ensuring that the patient or their authorized representative acknowledges receipt. The Department of Health is authorized to propose legislative rules to implement and enforce these provisions, thereby promoting better maternal and neonatal outcomes and reducing preventable emergencies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-29I-1