TITLE 31 HEALTH

Section 8. Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients, 31-8-1 through 31-8-306.

ARTICLE 2A HOSPITAL CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

31-8-42. Requirement of hospitals with emergency services to provide care to pregnant women in labor.

Any hospital which operates an emergency service shall be required to provide the appropriate, necessary emergency services to any pregnant woman who is a resident of this state and who presents herself in active labor to the hospital, if those services are usually and customarily provided in that facility, which services shall be provided within the scope of generally accepted practice based upon the information furnished the hospital by the pregnant woman, including such information as the pregnant woman reveals concerning her prenatal care, diet, allergies, previous births, general health information, and other such information as the pregnant woman may furnish the hospital. If, in the medical judgment of the physician responsible for the emergency service, the hospital must transfer the patient because the hospital is unable to provide appropriate treatment, the hospital where the patient has presented herself shall:

1. Within the capabilities of the hospital provide such emergency services as the circumstances require, which services shall be provided within the scope of generally accepted practice based upon the information furnished the hospital by the pregnant woman, including such information as the pregnant woman reveals concerning her prenatal care, diet, allergies, previous births, general health information, and other such information as the pregnant woman may furnish the hospital;
2. Contact an appropriate receiving hospital and notify such hospital that the patient is in transit;
3. Arrange suitable transportation for the patient if necessary; and
4. Send to the receiving hospital any available information on the patient's history and condition.

   The transfer shall not be authorized until the physician considers the patient sufficiently stabilized for transport.

(Code 1981, §31-8-42, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3.)