Virginia Law

A. Renovation or construction of a hospital's obstetric unit shall be consistent with (i) section 2.2-2.9 of Part 2 of the 2018 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals of the Facility Guidelines Institute pursuant to § 32.1-127.001 of the Code of Virginia and (ii) the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).

B. Delivery rooms labor, deliver, and recover (LDR) rooms; labor delivery, recovery, and postpartrum (LDRP) rooms; and nurseries shall be equipped to provide emergency resuscitation for mothers and infants.

C. Equipment and supplies shall be assigned for exclusive use in the obstetric and newborn units.

D. The same equipment and supplies required for the labor room and delivery room shall be available for use in the LDR/LDRP rooms during periods of labor, delivery, and recovery.

E. Sterilizing equipment shall be available in the obstetric unit or in a central sterilizing department. Flash sterilizing equipment or sterile supplies and instruments shall be provided in the obstetric unit.

F. Daily monitoring is required of the stock of necessary equipment in the LDR rooms and LDRP rooms and nursery.

G. The hospital shall provide the following equipment in the labor, delivery and recovery rooms and, except where noted, in the LDR/LDRP rooms:

1. Labor rooms.

a. A labor or birthing bed with adjustable side rails.

b. Adjustable lighting adequate for the examination of patients.

c. An emergency signal and intercommunication system.

d. A sphygmomanometer, stethoscope and fetoscope or doppler.

e. Fetal monitoring equipment with internal and external attachments.

f. Mechanical infusion equipment.

g. Wall-mounted oxygen and suction outlets.

h. Storage equipment.

i. Sterile equipment for emergency delivery to include at least one clamp and suction bulb.

j. Neonatal resuscitation cart.

2. Delivery rooms.

a. A delivery room table that allows variation in positions for delivery. This equipment is not required for the LDR/LDRP rooms.

b. Adequate lighting for vaginal deliveries or cesarean deliveries.

c. Sterile instruments, equipment, and supplies to include sterile uterine packs for vaginal deliveries or cesarean deliveries, episiotomies or laceration repairs, postpartum sterilizations and cesarean hysterectomies.

d. Continuous in-wall oxygen source and suction outlets for both mother and infant.

e. Equipment for inhalation and regional anesthesia. This equipment is not required for LDR/LDRP rooms.

f. A heated, temperature-controlled infant examination and resuscitation unit.

g. An emergency call system.

h. Plastic pharyngeal airways, adult and newborn sizes.

i. Laryngoscope and endotracheal tubes, adult and newborn sizes.

j. A self-inflating bag with manometer and adult and newborn masks that can deliver 100% oxygen.

k. Separate cardiopulmonary crash carts for mothers and infants.

l. Sphygmomanometer.

m. Cardiac monitor. This equipment is not required for the LDR/LDRP rooms.

n. Gavage tubes.

o. Umbilical vessel catheterization trays. This equipment is not required for LDR/LDRP rooms.

p. Equipment that provides a source of continuous suction for aspiration of the pharynx and stomach.

q. Stethoscope.

r. Fetoscope.

s. Intravenous solutions and equipment.

t. Wall clock with a second hand.

u. Heated bassinets equipped with oxygen and transport incubator.

v. Neonatal resuscitation cart.

3. Recovery rooms.

a. Beds with side rails.

b. Adequate lighting.

c. Bedside stands, overbed tables, or fixed shelving.

d. An emergency call signal.

e. Equipment necessary for a complete physical examination.

f. Accessible oxygen and suction equipment.