House health subcommittee advances maternal-care, rural hospital and nursing-home measures; fentanyl test bill clears

RICHMOND — A Virginia House subcommittee on health on Tuesday advanced a series of bills aimed at maternal safety, rural hospital approval processes, nursing-home oversight, water-system reporting and drug testing — including a measure requiring emergency departments to include fentanyl in urine drug screening when a drug panel is ordered. Several bills passed unanimously; one measure on a $1 sewage-reporting fee failed.

The most immediate action came on maternal-health legislation. Delegate Hayes presented House Bill 2753, which — as substituted — directs hospitals with emergency departments that handle labor and delivery, freestanding emergency departments and birthing centers to adopt standardized protocols and training for recognizing and responding to obstetric emergencies. The substitute requires collaboration with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative and participation in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) patient-safety bundles. "All hospitals with an emergency department for labor and delivery, freestanding emergency departments, and birthing centers shall participate in and submit data to the Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health Patient Safety Bundle," Hayes said during his presentation.

Why it matters: Subcommittee members and several health-care groups told the panel that standard protocols, training and shared quality metrics are crucial to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and address racial disparities in maternal outcomes. Julie Deim of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and representatives of midwives and the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative testified in support. The substitute passed on a roll call reported 8-0.

Other health-care bills…