Rule 4723-24-06 | Standards of doula practice.
(A) The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimal acceptable standards of practice by doulas holding a certificate issued by the board of nursing pursuant to Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.
(B) A doula shall maintain knowledge of the duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities of a doula and shall practice in accordance with the following:
(1) Laws regulating the provision of care by a doula as set forth in Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;
(2) Rules adopted by the board in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code; and
(3) Any other applicable state or federal laws and rules.
(C) A doula shall, in a timely manner, document their practice with a client sufficiently to meet the needs of the practice.
(D) A doula shall maintain the confidentiality of client information obtained in the course of the doula's practice. A doula shall communicate client information to others and shall access client information only for purposes of client services, or to otherwise fulfill the doula's responsibilities, and shall not share client information for purposes other than client services, or to otherwise fulfill the doula's responsibilities, through social media, texting, emailing, or any other form of communication, unless the client has consented to the doula's sharing of client information.
(E) To the maximum extent feasible, indentifiable client information shall not be disclosed by a doula unless the client has consented to the disclosure of the information. A doula shall only report individually indentifiable client information without written consent in limited circumstances and in accordance with an authorized law, rule, or other recognized legal authority.
(F) A doula shall do all of the following to promote client safety:
(1) Not falsify any client record or other document prepared in the course of, or in conjunction with, the performance of the doula's practice;
(2) Implement measures to promote a safe environment for the client including any time that the doula suspects client abuse or neglect;
(3) Establish, delineate, and maintain professional boundaries with each client;
(4) Refrain from all behavior that causes or may cause physical, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse or distress to a client, or in behavior that may be reasonably interpreted to cause physical, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse or distress to the client;
(5) Not misappropriate a client's property, engage in behavior to seek or obtain a client's property or behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as seeking or obtaining, personal gain at the client's expense, or engage in behavior that constitutes, or that may reasonably be interpreted as constituting, inappropriate involvement in a client's personal relationships or financial matters;
(6) Not engage in sexual conduct or in conduct that may reasonably be interpreted as sexual, or in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a client, or in verbal behavior that may reasonably be interpreted as seductive or sexually demeaning to a client;
(7) Treat each client with courtesy, respect, and with full recognition of dignity and individuality; and
(8) Provide each client with privacy while engaged in doula practice.
For purposes of paragraphs (F)(3) to (F)(6) of this rule, a client is always considered to be incapable of giving free, full, or informed consent to the actions of a doula.
(G) A doula shall not make any false, misleading, or deceptive statements, or submit or cause to be submitted any false, misleading or deceptive information or documentation to:
(1) The board or any representative of the board;
(2) Current employers or clients;
(3) Prospective employers or clients when applying for positions requiring a doula certificate;
(4) Facilities in which, or organizations for whom, the doula is working on a temporary or agency assignment;
(5) A state or private entity from which the doula seeks payment for services;
(6) Members of the client's health care team; or
(7) Law enforcement personnel.
(H) Nothing in this rule precludes a client from providing consent to a doula to use the client's likeness and information in social media or other promotional materials.
Last updated September 30, 2024 at 8:32 AM
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