CHAPTER 5
MATERNAL DEATHS
[Prior to 7/29/87, Health Department[470]]
641—5.1(135) Reporting of maternal deaths. A maternal death is any death occurring while a woman is pregnant or of a woman within one year after delivery. This includes but is not limited to deaths resulting from abortions, ectopic pregnancies and all deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium or deaths from complications of childbirth. In the event of a maternal death, the certifying physician shall indicate that circumstance on the certificate of death.
641—5.2(135) Ascertainment of maternal deaths. The department of public health annually shall systematically ascertain maternal deaths using birth and death vital records.
641—5.3(135) Reviewing of maternal deaths. Hospitals, physicians, and other licensed health care professionals shall provide to the department of public health clinical records pertinent to the review of individual maternal deaths. The release of these materials is a confidential and privileged communication, and no liability shall be attached to the release. Neither the released information nor reports generated from that information shall be allowed in any legal proceedings, pursuant to Iowa Code section 135.42. The department of public health shall ensure a timely, confidential review of all maternal deaths by experts in obstetric medicine and maternal mortality for the purpose of reducing morbidity and mortality. At least every three years, the department shall issue occasional reports on the causes and contributing factors of maternal deaths and recommendations of possible preventive strategies based on those reviews.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 135.40.
[Filed November 20, 1970; amended October 15, 1973]
[Filed emergency 7/10/87—published 7/29/87, effective 7/10/87]
[Filed 11/19/01, Notice 10/3/01—published 12/12/01, effective 1/16/02]