Maternal Risk ScreeningComprehensive risk assessment enables the prenatal care provider to determine whether the woman or the fetus is at increased risk and provides the basis for further assessment and intervention. Risk factors are characteristics that indicate a higher probability of adverse outcome and help guide the action by the woman, social supports, and the medical provider. The Blueprint to Improve West Virginia Perinatal Health of 2006 recommended a universal maternal risk scoring instrument to be used in the State by all medical providers and all payers.

Senate Bill 307, “Uniform Maternal Screening Act,” was signed into law on May 28, 2009 by former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III. The bill required the Bureau for Public Health, Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health (OMCFH) to convene a diverse Maternal Risk Screening Advisory Committee to develop a uniform maternal risk screening tool to help identify pregnant women for potential at-risk pregnancies and to meet annually to revise the tool as needed.

The West Virginia Prenatal Risk Screening Instrument (WV PRSI) is the tool REQUIRED by WV law to be submitted by every maternity provider of care for women in West Virginia. The PRSI is required for all West Virginia women on their initial obstetrical visit regardless of payment source. Providers shall notify the woman of any identified high-risk conditions and provide referrals as necessary. All information submitted is confidential and will not be released/disclosed for any reason other than data analysis of at-risk/high-risk pregnancies and planning purposes by public health officials.

The PRSI form is available free of charge on the web site of WVDHHR, OMFCH at www.wvdhhr.org/mcfh, or by emailing a request for forms to OMCFH Materials Management at tammy.s.vickers@wv.gov.


Committee Members
Allen Alexander

Thomas Memorial Hospital

Jeannie Clark

DHHR, Bureau for Public Health

Kathy Cummons

DHHR, Bureau for Public Health

Martha Dawson, EN, BSN

Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital

Kimberly Farry, MD

Associates for Women’s Health

Misty Harlow

United Hospital Center

Beth Hedrick

Thomas Memorial Hospital

David Jude, MD

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

Michael Lassere, MD

Summersville Women’s Health

Cristina Menking-Hoggatt, MS, CNM

BridgeValley Community and Technical College

Christina Mullins

DHHR, Bureau for Public Health

Victoria Shuman, DO, FACOFP

Family Medicine of Clarksburg

Letitia Tierney, MD

DHHR, Bureau for Public Health

Denise Smith

DHHR, Bureau for Public Health

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