Adoption and Promulgation of the Code of Technical Standards for the Professional Practice of Registered Midwife in the Philippines

August 13, 2014

PRC BOARD OF MIDWIFERY RESOLUTION NO. 004-14

ADOPTION AND PROMULGATION OF THE CODE OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF REGISTERED MIDWIVES IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, Sections 5 (f) and 9 of Republic Act No. 7392, otherwise known as the Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992, empower the Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery (Board) to look, from time to time, into the conditions affecting the practice of midwifery in the Philippines and adopt such measures as may be deemed necessary for the maintenance of the standards and ethics of the professions; and to set ethical and professional standards for the practice of midwifery;

WHEREAS, the Code of Technical Standards is essential in order to establish the guidelines and parameters necessary for the competent and effective practice of the profession;

WHEREAS, in the development of this Code of Technical Standards for the Professional Practice of Registered Midwives in the Philippines, series of consultations have been undertaken by the Board, with the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP), Association of Philippine Schools of Midwifery (APSOM), Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, Inc. (PLGPMI), Midwives Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI), other midwifery professional organizations, and stakeholders;

WHEREAS, violation of any provision of this Code of Technical Standards shall give rise to liabilities under R.A. No. 7392 and other pertinent laws, policies, rules and regulations.

NOW THEREFORE, the Board RESOLVES, as it hereby RESOLVED, to adopt and promulgate, with the approval of the Commission, the Code of Technical Standards for the Professional Practice of Registered Midwives in the Philippines which is hereby made an integral part of this Resolution as Annex A. DaIACS

This Resolution and Annex A, entitled "Code of Technical Standards for the Professional Practice of Registered Midwives in the Philippines", shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its full and complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let copies of this Resolution and its annex be transmitted to the UP Law Center, IMAP, APSOM, PLGPMI, MFPI, and other midwifery professional organizations for dissemination to all concerned.

Done in the City of Manila this 13th day of August, 2014.

(SGD.) ALEJANDRO R. SAN PEDROChairman

(SGD.) REMY B. DEQUINAMember

JOSEPHINE H. HIPOLITOMember

(SGD.) LOLITA I. DICANGMember

(SGD.) RHODORA L. LOPEZMember

ATTESTED BY:

(SGD.) ATTY. LOVELIKA T. BAUTISTAOfficer-in-Charge

APPROVED:

(SGD.) TERESITA R. MANZALAChairperson

On LeaveJENNIFER JARDIN-MANALILICommissioner

(SGD.) ANGELINE CHUA CHIACOCommissioner

ANNEX A

Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery

Code of Technical Standards for the Professional Practice of Registered Midwives in the Philippines

Introduction

The primary responsibility of a midwife is to provide quality health care services to women during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postnatal period as well as to newborns.

The practice of midwifery in the Philippines is regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), through the Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery (Board). In the exercise of this mandate, the Board, in coordination with the accredited professional organization (APO) which is the Integrated Midwife Association of the Philippines, and other midwifery associations, formulated the Code of Technical Standards for the Professional Practice of Registered Midwives in the Philippines.

The standards of practice contained in this document describe the desirable level of performance expected from every professional midwife. These standards serve not only as guide for the midwives in the provision of quality health care, but also as bases for regulating the practice of the profession in the county. Adherence to these standards will help ensure that a midwife has the appropriate professional qualifications and that quality midwifery services will be provided in such a way that public interest, health and safety are protected.

Standards	Indicators
1.	Qualification	1.1	A graduate of midwifery program
			from a government-authorized
	A midwife must be a registered and		educational institution;
	licensed practitioner.
		1.2	A holder of a valid Certificate of
			Registration and Professional
			Identification Card as a Midwife;
		1.3	A registered nurse who qualified
			as a registered midwife and
			shows evidence of professional
			competency as such; and
		1.4	Certified to be a member in good
			standing of the APO or other
			recognized midwifery associations/
			organizations in the Philippines.
2.	Professionalism	2.1	Carries out the roles and functions
			consistent with the provisions of
	A midwife demonstrates the attributes		the midwifery law, other relevant
	of competency, integrity and		legislations, principles, and
	professional attitude.		protocols as well as policies and
			procedures of the organization/s to
			which they are affiliated and/or the
			institution/s in which they are
			employed;    AcHaTE
		2.2	Contributes to the advancement of
			the profession;
		2.3	Demonstrates the highest ethical
			and professional standards of the
			profession;
		2.4	Renders professional services for
			the promotion of public welfare
			and benefit;
		2.5	Performs procedures within the
			scope of one's competencies and
			functions;
		2.6	Supports, facilitates and
			participates in researches relevant
			to midwifery; and
		2.7	Assumes responsibility and
			accountability for one's action and
			judgment in the provision of
			midwifery services to the client.
3.	Knowledge Management	3.1	Provides appropriate midwifery
			care that is responsive to client
	Midwifery practice is based on		needs;
	knowledge, skills and competencies
	gained from the social sciences,	3.2	Explains the rationale for
	obstetrics and neonatology, public		midwifery procedures/
	health and ethics. These serve as bases		interventions to be done to the
	for the provision of quality health care		client; and
	for women, their newborns, families
	and community.	3.3	Arrives at decisions which are
			evidence-based.
4.	Self-Regulation of Professional Practice	4.1	Renews the Professional
			Identification Card with the PRC;
	A midwife assumes the responsibility in
	maintaining competence and fitness and	4.2	Complies with government
	fitness to practice the profession.		standards and policies related to
			midwifery practice;
		4.3	Seeks help, advice and guidance
			from more competent medical or
			other health care practitioners,
			when the care required is beyond
			one's level of competence; and
		4.4	Maintains a healthy and sound
			physical, psychological, emotional
			and spiritual well-being.
5.	Code of Ethics	5.1	Performs services within the scope
			of one's legitimate functions;
	A midwife adheres to the ethical values
	enshrined in the Code of Ethics, as a	5.2	Improves knowledge and skills for
	guide to the practice of the profession.		the benefit of clients;
		5.3	Performs procedures based on
			accepted medical and scientific
			principles;
		5.4	Contributes to the safeguarding of
			public health by protecting against
			the admission into the profession
			of individuals who are deficient in
			professional competence and moral
			character;
		5.5	Renders quality health care service
			to every client accepted;
		5.6	Charges professional fees
			commensurate with the services
			actually performed;
		5.7	Performs midwifery services only
			to normal pregnant women, and
			newborns; refers other medical
			cases to qualified physicians when
			necessary;
		5.8	Keeps confidential any information
			received from the client in the
			course of the provision of
			professional service, unless
			required to testify on such
			information to serve the ends of
			justice;
		5.9	Provides quality health care service
			not only to individuals but also to
			the community for the
			improvement of public health;
		5.10	Participates in research activities to
			improve midwifery training and
			practice; and
		5.11	Works with the other members of
			the health care team to provide for
			the health needs of the public.
6.	Midwifery Practice	6.1	Performs a comprehensive
			assessment of client needs;
	In the delivery of health care services, a
	midwife uses a systematic process. A	6.2	Develops a plan of care, in
	midwife identifies the client needs,		collaboration with the client and
	strengths and limitations; plans and		family as well as other members
	implements interventions and evaluates		of the health care team;
	outcomes of healthcare provided.
		6.3	Uses clinical standards of care in
			the delivery of midwifery service;
		6.4	Makes sound decisions in the care
			of the client;
		6.5	Makes timely referrals to
			appropriate health care team
			partners/agencies;
		6.6	Monitors and evaluates progress of
			and/or results of interventions
			provided to client; and
		6.7	Updates or revises/modifies plan of
			care, based on reassessment and
			evaluation.
		6.8	Receives training and certification
			before performing new skills.
7.	Communication	7.1	Encourages the client to express
			concerns/problems;
	A midwife effectively communicates
	and collaborates with the client and	7.2	Communicates with the client and
	other allied health care team members		family to ensure that client needs
	to achieve optimal outcomes.		are attended and continuity of care
			is provided;
		7.3	Establishes collaborative
			partnerships with other members of
			the healthcare team to ensure that
			their individual efforts complement
			one another towards effective
			client care;
		7.4	Observes the Rule on
			Confidentiality and Privileged
			Communication; and
		7.5	Uses appropriate means of
			information technology to facilitate
			communication.
8.	Continuing Professional Development	8.1	Identifies one's strengths,
			limitations, learning needs, goals
	A midwife affirms that life long		and aspirations;
	learning is a basic obligation and
	responsibility.	8.2	Strives constantly to pursue higher
			level of learning;
		8.3	Participates in conferences,
			workshops and other continuing
			education programs to acquire new
			knowledge and skills;
		8.4	Maintains proficiency through
			continuing learning, relearning and
			development; and
		8.5	Invests time, money and/or other
			resources to enhance knowledge
			and skills necessary for safe and
			quality midwifery practice.
9.	Records Management	9.1	Sees to it that required data are
			promptly, legibly and concisely
	A midwife maintains a complete,		recorded, as well as properly
	accurate and timely documentation		signed;
	of client care.
		9.2	Maintains documentation that is
			reflective of true and factual
			observations and decisions;
		9.3	Ensures the privacy and
			confidentiality of client records;
			and
		9.4	Maintains an organized system of
			filing client records which must be
			readily available and accessible.

 

Published in The Philippine Star on September 12, 2014.