Birthing centers are healthcare facilities where low-risk moms-to-be give birth. These centers are staffed with midwives, nurses, obstetricians, and at times doulas. Birthing centers are more comfortable than hospitals, have greater privacy, more freedom, and shorter stays.
Is your hospital in need of opening a birthing center? Well, here are the must-have items that should be available in the facility.
1. High-Quality Birthing Beds
Most moms who choose to deliver their children in birth centers do not have epidurals. Therefore, birthing centers should invest in comfortable, high-quality birthing beds to ease the pain and discomfort. The bed should facilitate the care of a pregnant mom during all stages of labor.
With an estimated 2.5 million hospital beds in the country, a hospital can choose to purchase new hospital beds. However, there is a downside to buying new birthing beds as they are a bit expensive. If you are on a tight budget, opt for refurbished birthing beds. With refurbished beds, the center can hold more patients, cut costs, and promote sustainability.
If you are wondering which are the best high-quality birthing beds, consider Resolution beds, Stryker hospital beds, or Hill-Rom patient beds.
2. ICU Beds
Even though birth centers take care of low-risk mothers, things can go sideways during delivery, prompting the need for intensive care. For this reason, birthing centers should have ICU beds.
Whether new or refurbished, ICU hospital beds should be of superior quality, with operating electric safeties, manual controls, wheels, brakes, side rails, and removable headboards.
3. Mattresses and Furniture
Birth centers must include comfortable mattresses for pregnant moms. You can get pressure redistribution mattresses from medical equipment suppliers that are both comfortable and durable. Quality birthing center mattresses are fluid proof, fire-resistant, tear-resistant, and easy to clean.
On the other hand, a healthcare facility also needs to include furniture in the patient’s rooms. Ideal examples of quality furniture for the birthing center include drawer cabinets and an overbed table. The cabinets not only maximize storage space, but also guarantee privacy.
4. Warm, Clean Rooms
Moms and newborn infants need to be tended to in warm and clean rooms. The birthing center needs to have clean bed linens, a light source, as well as a heat source.
The facility also needs to have clean work surfaces next to the birthing beds that health professionals can use when checking up on the newborns.
5. Birthing Equipment
Birthing equipment required in a birthing center includes a fetal stethoscope, blood pressure machine, body thermometer, and a baby scale. The facility also needs a suction apparatus, self-inflating bag, and neonatal-sized masks.
For delivery, the sterile birthing equipment includes scissors, clamp, needle holder, vaginal speculum, dissecting forceps, and sponge forceps.
6. General Supplies
Gloves, urinary catheters, IV tubing, syringes, and needles are some of the must-have supplies needed in a birthing facility. The center also needs suture material to repair episiotomy tears. The antiseptic solution, spirit, bleach, and swabs aid in cleaning and disinfecting the birthing room and equipment.
The center should also have disposable containers to get rid of waste. Soiled linens can be placed in a receptacle, while there should be a bucket for soiled swabs and pads. There should be plastic bags and bowls, too, to dispose of the placenta.
The lack of these supplies renders a birth center unusable since healthcare professionals cannot offer their services effectively.
Birthing centers need a variety of supplies and equipment to run successfully. High-quality birthing beds, supplies and equipment, and clean rooms are a must-have when opening a birth center. With this equipment in hand, you are ready to go!
Recent Comments