I.  PURPOSE
 

This policy establishes the use of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) pregnancy test in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH/Department) directly operated clinics.
 

II.  DEFINITIONS
 

Authorized Personnel: Physician, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, nurse practitioner, psychiatric technician, clinical pharmacist. 

Clinic: Any DMH directly operated facility.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Pregnancy Test: A rapid chromatographic immunoassay for qualitative determination of hCG in urine for early detection of pregnancy.
 

III.  POLICY
 

Urine pregnancy testing with rapid chromatographic immunoassay shall be used for presumptive diagnoses of pregnancy in the female client population per prescriber or protocol order. A confirmed pregnancy diagnosis shall only be made by a prescriber after all clinical and laboratory findings have been evaluated.
 

IV.  PROCEDURES
 

Procedures - Point-of-Care Pregnancy Testing
 

V.  AUTHORITY
 

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988
DMH Administrative Directive
 

VI.  ATTACHMENT
 

First Sign One-Step Urine Pregnancy Test Cassette Package Insert