Washington Department of Health
A Lewis County midwife whose license was suspended in September after the state Department of Health revealed concerns that she put mothers and infants at risk was recently allowed to continue her work as a midwife — but within some parameters.
Laura A. Hamilton, who has been a licensed midwife since 1983, was named in a number of incidents and malpractice lawsuits summarized in a statement of charges from the DOH.
In a recently filed DOH order, signed by the case’s presiding officer Review Judge John F. Kuntz, there was “evidence of immediate danger to the public’s health and safety in this case.”
There was evidence Hamilton had possession of certain emergency equipment, however it wasn’t readily available for use in case of an emergency. Additionally, there was evidence Hamilton provided service to a family member who suffered from a drug addiction without giving regard to rules of “consultation, referral, transfer of care, emergency transfer and transportation.”
However, the order would go on to read, that these discrepancies didn’t constitute enough of a problem that Hamilton’s license would need to be revoked outright.
“Based on totality of evidence, the immediate danger identified above does not require the total suspension of (Hamilton’s) midwifery credential. There are lesser restrictive alternatives available that will protect the public from the identified dangers,” states the order, signed and dated Oct. 2.
Hamilton was given three specific orders to follow as she continues her work as a midwife. First, she must have emergency equipment “in her possession at the delivery site and set up for instant use in the event of an emergency at the delivery site.”
Second, she was ordered not to provide midwifery services to a person suffering from drug addiction or abuse. If she uncovers any signs of abuse or addiction, she is to “transfer the patient or client to a physician or qualified certified nurse midwife.”
Finally, Hamilton was forbidden to provide “midwifery services to any family member (which includes extended family members) pending a full administrative hearing on this matter.”
