Certified Nurse Midwife Out-of-hospital Care Plan
If passed, HB 1391 would require the Board of Nursing to oversee the established transfer-of-care conditions and monitor CNMs who practice autonomously, which includes reviewing cases of excessive patient transfers as well as adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The bill underscores the accountability of CNMs by ensuring that they provide receiving facilities with comprehensive patient records and verbal summaries upon transfer. This ensures facilitating a seamless handover to other healthcare providers, potentially improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Florida.
House Bill 1391 seeks to revise the requirements for certified nurse midwives (CNMs) engaged in autonomous practices, especially in relation to providing out-of-hospital intrapartum care. This legislation mandates that CNMs develop and utilize emergency plans for patient transfers when higher levels of care are necessary. It specifies that an emergency plan of care form must be signed by the patient prior to intrapartum care admission, detailing critical information such as the closest hospital, conditions needing transfer, and means of patient transport during emergencies. This initiative aims to enhance the overall safety and continuity of care for pregnant individuals receiving midwifery services outside traditional hospital settings.
Critics of the bill might argue that tightening regulations on CNM practices could inadvertently limit their ability to operate independently and serve populations who might not access traditional healthcare settings easily. Supporters contend, however, that rigorous standards for patient transfers are essential for safeguarding maternal and neonatal health, especially in emergency scenarios. The effective enforcement of these reforms could be at the heart of debates in legislative discussions regarding healthcare authorities and the scope of practice for nurse midwives.