26:18-31 Personalized postpartum care plans.
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/nj/title-26/chapter-18/26-18-31A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
2. a. Health care professionals, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, and certified midwives, who provide prenatal maternity care to a patient shall ensure that the patient has the opportunity to develop a comprehensive personalized postpartum care plan that is consistent with the patient's anticipated postpartum needs and plans. To meet the requirements of this section, a personalized postpartum care plan shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1)the name, phone number, and office address of the patient's care team;
(2)if applicable, the time, date, and location for the patient's postpartum visits and a phone number to call to schedule or reschedule appointments;
(3)guidance regarding breastfeeding to allow the patient to make an informed feeding decision;
(4)a reproductive life plan and appropriate contraception;
(5)notes about any of the patient's pregnancy complications and recommended follow-ups or test results;
(6)guidance regarding signs and symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety;
(7)management, including recommendations on how to manage anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric issues identified during pregnancy or in the postpartum period;
(8)recommendations for the management of postpartum issues, such as, without limitation, pelvic floor exercise for stress, urinary incontinence, or water-based lubricant for dyspareunia; and
(9)a treatment plan for ongoing physical and mental health conditions which identifies the care team member responsible for follow-up.
The health care professional shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the patient is offered the opportunity to participate in a postpartum planning session during the first trimester of pregnancy or, if holding the session during the first trimester is not feasible, at the earliest time thereafter. At a minimum, each plan shall include the designation of a medical home where the patient may access care and support during the period between the end of the pregnancy and the comprehensive postpartum visit.
If the patient does not have a plan in place or affirmatively waives their right to develop a plan, the health care professional shall educate the patient about the risks of foregoing adequate postpartum care and offer to consult with the patient to develop a plan.
b. Each general hospital, ambulatory care facility, and birthing center licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) that provides maternity care services shall ensure that, prior to discharge following the end of a pregnancy, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth, each patient receiving maternity care services is provided with postpartum care information based on best practices and guidance, as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or other nationally recognized bodies.
c. As used in this section:
"Care team" means an interdisciplinary team comprised of health care professionals, the patient, and the patient's relatives and friends. Members of the care team may vary depending on a patient's needs.
"Medical home" means as a primary care provider or facility from which a patient can access primary and preventive care that maintains all of the patient's medical information.
L.2024, c.89, s.2.