A physician risk assessment is limited to assessing pregnancy/childbirth complication risk, and it does not create continuing-care duties or a legal relationship with a licensed midwife.
§3258. Professional liability A. Physician evaluation and examination as provided in R.S. 37:3244 shall be deemed to constitute a risk assessment. A physician performing a risk assessment is responsible only for determining that at the time of the risk assessment the individual is at low or normal risk of developing complications during pregnancy and childbirth. For any physician performing a physician risk assessment, the physician-patient relationship shall only exist for the purposes of the risk assessment and shall not continue after the conclusion of the physician risk assessment. B. Physician risk assessment as defined in this Section shall not create either of the following: (1) Any legal duty, responsibility, or obligation by the physician to provide continuing care after the conclusion of the physician risk assessment. (2) A legal relationship between the physician and the licensed midwife or any duty, responsibility, or obligation by the physician to supervise, collaborate, back-up, or oversee the licensed midwife's care of the patient. C. No physician or other health care provider as defined in R.S. 40:1231.1, no hospital as defined in R.S. 40:2102, and no institution, facility, or clinic licensed by the department shall be: (1) Deemed to have established a legal relationship with a licensed midwife solely by providing a risk assessment as defined in this Section or accepting a transfer of a patient from a licensed midwife. (2) Liable for civil damages arising out of the negligent, grossly negligent, or wanton or willful acts or omissions of the licensed midwife solely for providing a risk assessment as defined in this Section or accepting a transfer of a patient from a licensed midwife. Acts 2012, No. 772, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §3.