MIAMI.- Florida introduced an important reform in its health care system with the promulgation of a law that establishes the creation and regulation of Advanced Birth Centers, institutions where low-risk cesarean sections can be performed, in addition to other obstetric procedures.
Law SB 7016, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, defines the requirements that these facilities must meet to be designated as Advanced Birth Centers.
Among these requirements are 24/7 operation and permanent staffing, the hiring of two certified medical directors, one an obstetrician and one anesthesiologist, and the implementation of emergency systems and protocols.
Additionally, facilities must comply with the standards of the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code for ambulatory surgical centers.
The legislation allows Advanced Birth Centers to perform surgical procedures such as low-risk cesarean sections and the surgical management of immediate complications during childbirth.
Additionally, they can perform postpartum sterilizations and circumcisions before the mother or newborn is discharged.
The inclusion of cesarean sections in these centers seeks to provide a safe and controlled alternative for births that require surgical intervention, while maintaining a more welcoming and less medicalized environment than traditional hospitals, in accordance with the law.
Benefits and justification of the new law
“Free market principles show us that the private sector can innovate in ways that the government could never imagine,” Senator Gayle Harrell, sponsor of the legislative initiative, said in a statement.
“What the government can do is facilitate the exploration and implementation of innovative technologies and delivery models that increase efficiency, reduce pressure on the healthcare workforce, improve patient outcomes, expand public access to care and reduce costs for patients and taxpayers without affecting quality. of patient care,” she added.
The ability to perform cesarean sections at these centers expands access to high-quality obstetric services in areas where hospitals may not be readily available, and reduces pressure on hospitals, especially in high-demand situations.
Legislators who supported the measure highlighted that 90% of Florida’s rural hospitals do not attend births, and women who live in rural areas of the state must drive an average of 50 minutes to get to a hospital where obstetrics services are provided.
Additionally, birth centers often offer a more intimate and personalized environment compared to hospitals, which can improve the birth experience for many women, according to the text of the new law.
The legislation also specifies that Advanced Birth Centers must meet rigorous standards to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and newborns. These standards include the ability to quickly stabilize and transfer patients to hospitals in the event of complications.
Likewise, centers must have written agreements with local hospitals for the transfer of patients in case of emergencies and must annually evaluate their transportation services and transfer protocols.
The implementation of Advanced Birth Centers in Florida, with the possibility of performing low-risk cesarean sections, represents a significant advance in obstetric care in the state, in accordance with the content of the law.
