Section 160. Policies and procedures

A. Each abortion facility shall develop, implement, and maintain documented policies and procedures, which shall be readily available on the premises and shall be reviewed annually and updated as necessary by the governing body. The policies and procedures shall include but shall not be limited to the following topics:

1. Personnel;

2. Types of elective services performed in the abortion facility;

3. Types of anesthesia that may be used;

4. Admissions and discharges, including criteria for evaluating the patient before admission and before discharge;

5. Obtaining informed written consent of the patient pursuant to § 18.2-76 of the Code of Virginia prior to the initiation of any procedures;

6. When to use sonography to assess patient risk;

7. Infection prevention;

8. Quality and risk management;

9. Management and effective response to medical and/or surgical emergency;

10. Management and effective response to fire;

11. Ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws;

12. Abortion facility security;

13. Disaster preparedness;

14. Patient rights;

15. Functional safety and abortion facility maintenance; and

16. Identification of the administrator and methods established by the governing body for holding the administrator responsible and accountable.

B. These policies and procedures shall be based on recognized standards and guidelines. A copy of the policies and procedures approved by the governing body and revisions thereto shall be made available to the OLC upon request.

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.