PAC/LAC was started in 1979 by a community physician in response to a March of Dimes directive (Towards Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy - TIOP) recommending the creation of a perinatal regionalization system to increase optimal outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth. Regionalization in these terms relates to a system of consultation, referrals and transport of high risk patients (maternal or neonatal) from hospital to hospital based on the level of care each is capable of providing as determined by licensing and designating bodies.