Hospital birth records are generally accepted as preferred evidence (see GN00302.530). However, the FO may at its own discretion, and based on its own experience, question the reliability of certain hospital birth records. Some records from certain hospitals in the Boston Region have been found to be unreliable.

Attached is the listing of those hospitals (by State) in the Boston region whose records are considered to be unreliable.

This transmittal updates Regional Transmittal No. 2-25, dated October 1984.

The following basic guidelines should be used in determining the reliability of hospital birth records.

1. 1. 

   Does the hospital complete all of the information on the hospital birth record before presenting it to a child"s parent?

2. 2. 

   Does the hospital limit access to blank copies of forms to those who are responsible for completing the form?

3. 3. 

   Has the hospital ever issued birth records for purposes other than to reflect data about actual births in the hospital?

If questions 1 or 2 are answered NO or if question 3 is answered YES, this is an indication that the hospital"s birth records are unreliable.

Any new or revised precedents for unreliable hospital birth records must be forwarded to the regional office to update the regional supplement. Send precedents to:

Social Security Administration
Attn: PPST
John F Kennedy Federal Building
Room 1925
Boston MA 02203

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - CONNECTICUT

* Bristol Hospital, Brewster St., Bristol, CT 06010

* Greenwich Hospital, Perryridge Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830

* Hospital of St. Raphael, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511

* Norwalk Hospital, 24 Stevens St., Norwalk, CT 06852

* St. Joseph"s Hospital, 128 Strawberry Hill Ave., Stamford, CT 06905

* Stamford Hospital, Shelburne Rd., Stamford, CT 06902

* Hospital has birthing unit but no longer issues hospital birth records. Previously issued birth records are unreliable.

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - PRIOR TO 1/98 - CONNECTICUT

In regional transmittal #2-25, dated October 1984, the following hospital"s birth records were listed as unreliable. This hospital has since improved its hospital birth certificate practices and the hospital birth records can now be considered reliable, effective with the date in parentheses.

Milford Hospital, 2047 Bridgeport Ave., Milford, CT 06460 (01/89)

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - MAINE

* The Aroostook Medical Center, A.R. Gould Division, Academy St., Presque Isle, ME 04769

* The Aroostook Medical Center, Community General Division, 7 Green St., Ft. Fairfield, ME 04742

* Emma G. Milliken Memorial Hospital, Island Falls, ME 04747

Maine Medical Center, Portland ME

* Redington-Fairview General Hospital, Fairview Ave, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Stephens Memorial Hospital, 181 Main St, Norway, ME 04268

* Hospital has birthing unit but no longer issues hospital birth records. Previously issued birth records are unreliable.

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - MASSACHUSETTS

Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main St., Athol, MA 01331 (Maternity unit closed)

Brockton Hospital, 380 Center St., Brockton MA 02401

Burbank Hospital, Nichols Rd., Fitchburg, MA 01420 (Maternity unit closed)

Charlton Memorial Hospital, 363 Highland Ave., Fall River MA, 02720

Clinton Hospital, 201 Highland St., Clinton, MA 01510 (Maternity unit closed)

Cooley-Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., Northampton, MA 01060

Fairlawn Hospital, 189 May St., Worcester, MA 01602 (Maternity unit closed)

Grover Manor Hospital, 405 Washington St., Revere, MA 02151 (Hospital closed)

Hahnemann Hospital, 281 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605 (Maternity unit closed)

Harrington Hospital, 100 South St., Southbridge, MA 01550

Heywood Hospital, 242 Green St., Gardner, MA 01440 (Formerly known as the Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital)

Holden Hospital, Boyden Rd., Holden, MA 01520 (Hospital closed)

Hubbard Hospital, Thompson Rd., Webster, MA 01570 (Maternity unit closed)

* Malden Hospital, Hospital Rd., Malden, MA 02145

Morton Hospital, 22 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780

* St. Luke"s Hospital, 101 Page St., New Bedford, MA 02740

* South Coast Hospital, 43 High St., Wareham, MA 02571 (01/98) (Formerly known as the Tobey Hospital

University of MA (UMASS) Medical Center, 55 Lake Ave. N., Worcester MA 01655 (Maternity unit closed)

Winthrop Community Hospital, 44 Lincoln St., Winthrop, MA 02152 (Maternity unit closed)

Worcester City Hospital, Jacques Ave., Worcester, MA 01610 (Hospital closed)

* Hospital has birthing unit, but no longer issues hospital birth records. Previously issued birth records are unreliable.

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL RECORDS - PRIOR TO 1/98 - MASSACHUSETTS

In regional transmittal #2-25, dated October 1984, the following hospital"s birth records were listed as unreliable. These hospitals have since improved their hospital birth certificate practices and the hospital birth records can now be considered reliable, effective with the date in the parentheses. (NOTE: January 1998 is used if the exact date could not be determined.)

Good Samaritan Hospital, 909 Summer St., Stoughton, MA 02072 (01/96) (Formerly known as the Goddard Hospital)

Holy Family Hospital, 70 East St., Methuen, MA 01844 (01/98) (Formerly known as the Bon Secours Hospital)

Lawrence General Hospital, 1 General St., Lawrence, MA 01841 (01/98)

Memorial Hospital, 119 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01605 (03/96) (Also known as Medical Center of Central MA and effective 3/98, UMASS

Memorial Medical Center - Memorial Hospital)

North Adams Regional Hospital, Hospital Ave., North Adams, MA 01247 (01/96)

Quincy City Hospital, 114 Whitwell St., Quincy, MA 02169 (01/98)

St. Vincent"s Hospital, 25 Winthrop St., Worcester, MA 01607 (03/96)

South Shore Hospital, 55 Fogg Rd., Weymouth, MA 02189 (01/98)

Winchester Hospital, 41 Highland Ave., Winchester, MA 01890 (01/98)

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - NEW HAMPSHIRE

Catholic Medical Center, 100 McGregor St., Manchester, NH 03102

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - PRIOR TO 1/98 - NEW HAMPSHIRE

In regional transmittal #2-25, dated October 1984, the following hospital"s birth records were listed as unreliable. This hospital has since improved its hospital birth certificate practices and the hospital birth records can now be considered reliable, effective with the date in the parentheses. (NOTE: January 1998 is used if the exact date could not be determined.)

Cheshire Medical Center, 590 Court St., Keene, NH 03431 (01/98)

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - RHODE ISLAND

Newport Hospital, 11 Friendship St., Newport, RI 02840

Notre Dame Hospital, 1000 Broad St., Central Falls, RI 02863 (Maternity unit closed)

St. Joseph"s Health Services - Our lady of Fatima Hospital, 200 High Service Ave., North Providence, RI 02904

South County Hospital, 95 Kenyon Ave., Wakefield, RI 02879

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - PRIOR TO 1/98 - RHODE ISLAND

In regional transmittal #2-25, dated October 1984, the following hospital"s birth records were listed as unreliable. These hospitals have since improved their hospital birth certificate practices and can now be considered reliable, effective with the date in the parentheses. (NOTE: January 1998 is used if the exact date could not be determined.)

Pawtucket Memorial Hospital, Prospect St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 (01/98)

UNRELIABLE HOSPITAL BIRTH RECORDS - VERMONT

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 9 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301

Central Vermont Medical Center, PO Box 547, Barre, VT 05641

Gifford Medical Center, 44 South Main St., Randolph, VT 05060 (Formerly known as the Gifford Memorial Hospital) North Country Hospital, Prouty Drive, Newport, VT 05855

Northeaster Vermont Regional Hospital, Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Rutland Regional Medical Center, 160 Allen St., Rutland, VT 05701

Southwestern VT Medical Center, 100 Hospital Dr., Brattleboro, VT 05201

Springfield Hospital, 25 Ridgewood Rd., Springfield, VT 05156