Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.07 - REPORTS OF FETAL DEATH AND INDUCED TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

(1) Reports of induced termination of pregnancy are statistical reports only and are not to be incorporated into the official records of the Division of Vital Records. The reports are to be forwarded directly to the Department of Health within ten (10) days after the procedure by the person in charge of the institution in which the procedure was performed or by the physician in attendance, if the induced termination did not occur in an institution. The State Registrar is authorized to dispose of such reports when all statistical processing of the reports has been accomplished. However, the State Registrar may establish an electronic file of such records, so that they will be available for future statistical and research projects; provided, however, such file shall not be made a part of the official records and the reports shall not be made available for the issuance of certified copies. Such file shall be retained for as long as the State Registrar deems necessary and it shall then be destroyed consistent with laws and rules pertaining to record retention.

(2) A report of fetal death shall be submitted for each fetal death of a fetus weighing three hundred fifty (350) grams or more or for each fetal death of twenty (20) completed weeks gestation or more. The State Registrar shall not maintain any report of fetal death for a fetus weighing less than three hundred fifty (350) grams or, if weight is not reported, that shows less than twenty (20) completed weeks of gestation.

(3) The report of fetal death is to be submitted within ten (10) days after delivery to the State Registrar by the person in charge of the institution in which the fetus was delivered; or by the physician in attendance, if the fetal death did not occur in an institution; or by the appropriate medical examiner, if the fetal death occurred without medical attendance.

(4) Except as noted in 1200-07-01-.07(3), reports of fetal death are not copied, issued, or otherwise released, except for statistical or research purposes approved by the State Registrar.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-07-01-.07

Original rule filed June 7, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed January 18, 1978; effective February 17, 1978. Amendment filed May 17, 1979; effective July 2, 1979. Amendment filed August 6, 2002; effective October 20, 2002. Emergency rule filed July 26, 2010; effective through January 22, 2011. Emergency rule filed July 26, 2010; expired effective January 23, 2011; rule reverted to its prior status. Amendments filed November 10, 2010; effective February 8, 2011.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 68-3-103, 68-3-504, and 68-3-505.