(a) A perinatal resource coordinating group (PRCG) shall be established within each perinatal planning area (PPA) to examine outcomes, to develop community-based plans for continuous improvement of perinatal care services, to work with communities in order to foster perinatal networks, and to develop at-risk and emergency transfer/transport protocols, considering the standards/guidelines listed in §37.253 of this title (relating to Professional Standards/Guidelines).
(b) A PRCG shall be established in each PPA within five years from the date this subchapter becomes effective.
(c) PRCG members shall be initially recruited by the following department staff:
  (1) the Regional Medical Director or designee from the region in which most of the counties in the PPA are located;
  (2) a representative of the Emergency Medical Services Division; and
  (3) representatives from the Medicaid and maternal and child health programs.
(d) PRCG membership shall include broad-based community representation from the counties in the PPA; perinatal providers, including basic, specialty, and subspecialty perinatal care facilities; advocacy groups; consumers; social support systems; and primary care residency programs. PRCG membership shall reflect the demographics of the population.
(e) Each PRCG shall adopt bylaws describing the purpose; membership and member terms; officers and their terms of office; and periodicity of meetings.
(f) The department shall provide data and technical assistance to the PRCGs.
(g) Each PRCG shall be charged with:
  (1) analyzing perinatal data, including, but not limited to the following:
    (A) reports provided by the department concerning the perinatal vital statistics in the PPA; and
    (B) aggregated reports of problems identified by the maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality review committees of each participating facility and by communities in the PPA;
  (2) responding to consumer and/or provider complaints that pertain to perinatal care and that have been directed to the PRCG;
  (3) responding to complaints that pertain to perinatal care originally received by the Texas Department of Insurance and/or the department;
  (4) identifying and supporting health care delivery systems and social support infrastructures within the communities of the PPA that enhance the quality of perinatal health care;
  (5) providing technical assistance to communities to enhance coordination of perinatal service planning and delivery among perinatal network providers (including perinatal transport providers), consumers, and community-based support entities within the PPA;
  (6) identifying unmet community needs, such as gaps in perinatal care or breakdowns in communications; and
  (7) developing a community-based perinatal plan to coordinate existing services and address unmet needs that builds upon and bolsters community strengths, health care delivery systems, and social support infrastructures. The plan will address community-based, culturally competent health promotion activities, both consumer and provider health education, the development and support of perinatal networks, and referral/transport protocols for high-risk pregnant women and newborn infants.

Source Note: The provisions of this §37.256 adopted to be effective July 18, 1999, 24 TexReg 5196