Section 230. Patient services; patient counseling

Part IV. Patient Care Management

A. Abortions performed in abortion facilities shall be performed only on patients who are within the first trimester of pregnancy based on an appropriate clinical estimate by a licensed physician.

B. No person may perform an abortion upon an unemancipated minor unless informed written consent is obtained from the minor and the minor's parent, guardian, or other authorized person. If the unemancipated minor elects not to seek the informed written consent of an authorized person, a copy of the court order authorizing the abortion entered pursuant to § 16.1-241 of the Code of Virginia shall be obtained prior to the performance of the abortion.

C. A physician shall not perform an abortion without first obtaining the informed written consent of the patient pursuant to the provisions of § 18.2-76 of the Code of Virginia.

D. When abortions are being performed, a staff member currently certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation shall be available on site for emergency care.

E. The abortion facility shall offer each patient seeking an abortion, in a language or manner she understands, appropriate counseling and instruction in the abortion procedure and shall develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for the provision of family planning and post-abortion counseling to its patients.

F. There shall be an organized discharge planning process that includes an evaluation of the patient's capacity for self-care and discharge instructions for patients to include instructions to call or return if signs of infection develop.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 29, Issue 19, eff. June 20, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.