Client Bill of Rights

Center for Birth (hereafter known as CFB) is a standalone birth center not part of any hospital. As such,  CFB offers care only to low-risk clients as defined by the state of Washington and in accordance with the Midwives Association of Washington State Practice Guideline, during labor and the immediate postpartum period.  I understand there are hospitals that serve the Seattle/King County areas as well.

As a Client at Center for Birth, you may exercise the following rights, as required by Chapter 256-329-085 in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC),  Chapter 18.46 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). You have the right to:

  1. Be informed of the policy and procedures for admission and discharge;

  2. Be informed of the definition of a low risk maternal client, the benefits and risks of out-of-hospital labor and birth and complete a written informed consent, prior to the onset of labor that shall include, but not be limited to, evidence of an explanation by personnel of the birth services offered and potential risks and emergency transfer and transport procedures;

  3. Be informed of what constitutes being ineligible for birth center services and the transfer policy and procedures of clients who, during the course of pregnancy or labor or recovery, are determined to be ineligible, including the birth center's plan for provisions of emergency and non-emergency care in the event of complications to mother and newborn;

  4. Be informed that unexpected neonatal emergencies requiring complex resuscitation are rare, but can occur. Be informed that the birth center staff is prepared to provide initial steps of newborn resuscitation (upper airway clearance with a bulb or DeLee suction device) and provide bag-and-mask ventilation until emergency medical service providers arrive to provide complete resuscitation procedures if required;

  5. Participate in decisions relating to the plan for management of care and all changes in that plan once established including consultation, referral and transfer to other practitioners or other levels of care;

  6. Be informed of the policy and procedures for consultation, referral, transfer of care and transport of a newborn and maternal client to a hospital where appropriate care is available;

  7. Be informed of prenatal screening under chapter 70.54 RCW and chapter 246-680 WAC;

  8. Be informed of newborn screening requirements under chapter 70.83 RCW and chapter 246-650 WAC, including a provision of a copy of the parent information pamphlet "Newborn Screening Tests and Your Baby" which is available from the department's newborn screening program;

  9. Be informed that rapid HIV testing is available for all maternal clients without a documented history of HIV testing during prenatal care;

  10. Be informed of prophylactic treatment of the eyes of the newborn in accordance with WAC 246-100-206 (6)(b);

  11. Be informed that vitamin K administration for the newborn is available;

  12. Be informed that newborn hearing screening tests are offered in most hospitals;

  13. Be provided with a description of the process for submitting and addressing complaints;

  14. Submit complaints without retaliation and to have the complaint addressed by the licensee;

  15. Be informed of the state complaint hotline number: 1-800-633-6828

  16. Be treated with courtesy, dignity, respect, privacy, and freedom from abuse and discrimination

  17. Refuse treatment or services;

  18. Privacy of personal information and confidentiality of health care records;

  19. Be cared for by properly trained personnel, contractors, students and volunteers and be informed of the qualifications of clinical staff, consultants and related services and institutions;

  20. Be informed of all diagnostic procedures and reports, recommendations and treatments;

  21. A fully itemized billing statement upon request, including the date of each service and the charge

  22. Be informed about advanced directives and the licensee's responsibility to implement them;

  23. Be informed of the client's right with regards to participation in research or student education programs;

  24. Be informed of the liability insurance coverage of practitioners on request; and

  25. Be informed of child passenger restraint systems to be used when transporting children in motor vehicles, including information describing the risks of death or serious injury associated with the failure to use a child passenger restraint system.

 

Registering Complaints

We take your safety and satisfaction seriously. There are two routes for entering a complaint against either your provider or the birth center facility. For more information see the following resources:

Health Systems Quality Assurance Complaint Intake, P.O. Box 47857, Olympi a, WA 98504-7857  Local: 360-236-4700  Email: HSQAComplaintIntake@doh.wa.gov

According to the State of Washington, in WAC 246-329-010 (18) (a) – (e): "Low-risk maternal client" means an individual who:

  • Is at term gestation [between 37 and 42 weeks], in general good health with uncomplicated prenatal course and participating in ongoing prenatal care, and prospects for a normal uncomplicated birth as defined by reasonable and generally accepted criteria of maternal and fetal health;

  • Has no previous major uterine wall surgery, cesarean section, or obstetrical complications likely to recur;

  • Has no significant signs or symptoms of anemia, active herpes genitalia, placenta previa, known non-cephalic presentation during active labor [breech], pregnancy-induced hypertension, persistent polyhydramnios or persistent oligohydramnios, abruptio placenta, chorioamnionitis, known multiple gestation, intrauterine growth restriction, or substance abuse;

  • Is in progressive labor (at time of admission); and

  • Is appropriate for a setting where methods of anesthesia are limited.