ORTONVILLE AREA HEALTH SERVICES

Ortonville, MN

Policies and Procedures

SUBJECT: SAFE PLACE FOR NEWBORNS	Policy # :
	Page # : 1 of 1
DEPARTMENT/INITIATOR: NSG./L.SIS	Effective Date: 5/00
	Reviewed/Revision/Dates/Initials
DISTRIBUTION:

PURPOSE:

The purpose of Safe Place for Newborns is to provide a safe place for unwanted newborns in lieu of abandonment, injury or death. OAHS and Big Stone Family Services have joined together to offer confidential protective shelter, medical care, and treatment in a hospital setting to unwanted newborns, up to 72 hours old.

POLICY:

1. A mother, or person acting on behalf of the mother, may bring her newborn, up to 72 hours old, to OAHS. She will say that she wants her baby left with “Safe Place for Newborns”. If the child has been abused or neglected the police maybe called and charges maybe filed.

2. Nursing staff receiving the newborn will not ask the name of the mother.

3. Nursing staff will offer the mother medical care, she may or may not accept it.

4. Using the Delivery Room identification bands with matching numbers, one will be placed on the newborn and one will be given to the mother. This will identify the woman as the baby’s mother in the event the mother would seek out the child through Big Stone Family Service Center.

5. OAHS will give the mother a medical history questionnaire with a return envelope, telephone counseling telephone number, and the telephone number of the Big Stone Family Service Center.

6. OAHS will provide the newborn with a medical examination. The newborn will be provided a bassinet with all essential supplies, be cared for by the staff, placed on the apnea monitor, and roomed in 302.

7. OAHS will immediately contact Big Stone Family Services Child Protection Agency, who will assume custody of the child. On weekends or nights, notify the law enforcement who will notify the Big Stone Family Services Child Protection Agency on call staff. In the event this would happen at OAHS, notify the DON and the Administrator.

Dear Mother,

Thank you for bringing your baby here. You have taken the first step in assuring that your child will be safe and well taken care of. We know this is has been a difficult decision for you, and we want to assure you that we will do what we can to give your child the best possible care.

We are asking you to help us by giving us some health information that will help us plan for your child. This information is important for your child’s care, and most helpful for their adoptive family. The information will be used only for this purpose. It will not be used to identify you or find you. We are asking that you fill out this form, put it in the envelope and drop it in the mailbox.

What is the baby’s birth date?_____________________________ Was the baby premature?__________________

Were there any problems with the pregnancy or delivery?_______ What were they?

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Did you smoke, use alcohol, drugs, or any medication during the pregnancy?

What were they?

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Does the baby’s father or you have any medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, allergies or seizures?_____________

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What is your age:_______________ Race:_______________ Religion:__________________

Hair color:__________________________________ Body build______________________________

What is the baby’s father’s age:____________ Race:________________ Religion:__________________

Hair color:__________________________________ Body build:_____________________________

Is there anything else you would like to tell the people who will be taking care of your child?

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