GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL CT Required Medical Data

Policy No. CT- 810.05 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 2

Page 1 of 2

Policy Anthropometric (length/height and weight) measurements are required for all participants at each certification, recertification, and mid-year assessment.

Hematological (hemoglobin/hematocrit) measurements are required for women and children at each certification and recertification, and at the mid-year assessment for children under two years. If a child’s hemoglobin is low at certification, it must be taken again at half-certification. Infants whose initial certification is at or greater than nine months of age are required to have a hematological test. Most infants will have their first blood test around twelve months as part of the first child certification.

Anthropometric and hematological data used to determine the eligibility of pregnant women must be taken during the current pregnancy. Anthropometric and hematological data for postpartum and breastfeeding women must be obtained after delivery.

Purpose To ensure an accurate and complete identification of all nutritional risk conditions used to determine eligibility for WIC benefits.

Procedures I. Anthropometric Data

A. Anthropometric data may be obtained by referral, measurements taken at the clinic site, or from the medical/clinical record.

B. The Medical Data Date required for certification (length/height and weight) may precede the date of certification by up to, or equal to, sixty (60) days. Anthropometric data greater than sixty (60) days old cannot be used to assess WIC eligibility.

C. Verbally reported birth weight and birth length may be used.

II. Hematological Data

A. Hematological results may be obtained by the local agency by referral (See Referral Data Policy), bloodwork screening at the clinic site, or medical/clinical record.

B. Postpartum breastfeeding women who have breastfed for six (6) months are not required to have blood work performed at their mid-Assessment visit.

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL CT Required Medical Data

Policy No. CT- 810.05 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 2

Page 2 of 2

C. If an infant greater than six months has referral bloodwork, if can be documented in the medical record.

D. The Hematological Data Date required for certification (hemoglobin/ hematocrit) may precede the date of certification by up to, or equal to, ninety (90) days. Hematological data greater than ninety (90) days old cannot be used to assess WIC eligibility.

E. When a participant refuses bloodwork due to medical/religious reasons, attempt to use referral data or non-invasive means to obtain a measurement. If still unable to obtain a measurement, document in the WIC medical record why the bloodwork is missing.

III. Blood work may not be routinely performed on women prior to discharge from the hospital. A non-invasive hemoglobin can be obtained by WIC staff when allowed by the hospital. (See Hospital Certification Policy).

IV. Local agencies should refer participants with low hemoglobin or abnormal screening values to their medical provider per the district local agency protocol for hematological follow-up and diagnosis.

Authority

7 CFR § 246.7(e)

Definitions/Supporting Information Competent Professional Authority (CPA) – An individual on the local agency staff who is authorized to determine nutritional risk and prescribe supplemental foods. The following individuals may be authorized and trained to serve as a CPA: physicians, nutritionists (bachelor’s or master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition), registered dietitians, licensed dietitians, registered nurses, and physician assistants (certified by the National Committee on certification of Physicians Assistants or certified by the State medical certifying authority), or State or local medically trained health officials.

Hematological Data Date - The date the hematological data was taken. The Medical Data Date - The date that the anthropometric data was taken.