64B24-7.010. Collaborative Management

(1) A midwife may provide collaborative prenatal and postpartal care to women not expected to have a normal pregnancy, labor and delivery with a physician who holds hospital obstetrical privileges maintaining supervision for directing the specific course of medical treatment.

(2) Prior to engaging in collaborative management, the licensed midwife shall:

(a) Provide and document to the department that the midwife successfully completed a course on collaborative management within an approved training program.

(b) Enter into a written protocol with a physician licensed under Chapter 458 or 459, F.S., who is actively practicing obstetrics and has hospital obstetrical privileges. The protocol shall be made on the Collaborative Management Agreement form which is incorporated by reference herein, effective 7-14-94, and can be obtained from the Council of Licensed Midwifery, Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256 and shall at a minimum contain:

1. Name, address and telephone number of patient.

2. Name, address and telephone number of midwife.

3. Name, address and telephone number of physician who will maintain supervision for directing the specific plan of medical treatment as outlined in the protocol.

4. Identification of factors.

5. Rationale of the deviation from the low-risk criteria.

6. Specific course of management and expected outcome.

7. Criteria for the discontinuance of the collaborative agreement.

(c) The protocol shall be signed and dated by the patient, licensed midwife and physician. A copy of the collaborative agreement shall be placed and maintained in the patient’s record.

(d) The midwife shall provide the physician with a complete copy of all patient records pertaining to this pregnancy.

(3) A licensed midwife practicing within a health care facility or under the supervision of a physician group shall establish a written collaborative management protocol prior to providing prenatal and postnatal care to women not expected to have a normal pregnancy, labor, or delivery. The written protocol shall:

(a) Be maintained on the premises of the health care facility,

(b) Be updated at least annually,

(c) Be readily accessible to the midwife and physician,

(d) Include a plan for access to complete obstetrical services, and

(e) Be acceptable in lieu of a patient’s specific collaborative management agreement.

Specific Authority 467.005 FS. Law Implemented 467.015(2) FS. History–New 7-14-94, Formerly 61E8-7.010, 59DD-7.010, Amended 9-11-02.