do you allow visitors to leave or enter a delivery room during a delivery?

keasc20 · Jul 21, 2008

I have never heard anything like that. People are in and out during our deliveries...no big deal.

nursejohio, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2008

Good luck! I wish we could do something similar

shortstuff31117 · Jul 21, 2008

Well I dont know if we have a specific policy, but I havent seen people coming in and out during a delivery. Our rooms arent that big, so once the delivery table comes in and is opened (on side of bed closest to the door), the support people are required to stay on the other side of the bed, which is furthest from the door, partly because of the table, but also in case of emergency. SO no leaving after that. I guess I havent had an issue with this before! I cant imagine people coming in and out.

Maybe you need signs on your doors DELIVERY IN PROGRESS, KEEP OUT LOL...just kidding!

sample24 · Jul 21, 2008

It's a big NO at our facility once the delivery is in progress for anyone to enter or leave. We make sure to tell them prior that they're in for "the long haul" When the table clears the room, then it's the pt's choice to limit visitors.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 21, 2008

It has absolutely nothing to do with JCAHO at all, they do not set the requirements for this.

Much depends on the lay-out of the room as a start. You also do not want someone that is getting sick to be required to remain in the room during the delivery and this can happen.

I would check first with the the accreditation agency for OB to see what their take is on it, just like the AORN places standards for the OR. But they do not make rules, just suggestions for best practice.

CEG · Jul 21, 2008

We have nothing other than patient preference. After all, our neonatal staff, additional nurses, etc are in and out. We have fairly large rooms so I guess the table isn't really an issue.

nurseshepherd · Jul 21, 2008

We don't let anyone else in once the patient is put up in stirrups, but that is mostly because of our TINY rooms. We also ask Mom who she wants in the room and those visitors are told they will be hemmed in until we start clearing the room because of the cramped quarters.

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 23, 2008

Other tha someone becoming ill and leaving the room I think it is inappropriate for visitors to be coming in and out of the room during the delivery. It can be distracting for the patient who has more important things on her mind than greeting visitors and I or other staff don't have time at this point to be screening who comes in and out to be sure that it is someone the patient wants to see her exposed or to educate/instruct visitors as to where to stand and what not to touch. If it is someone the mother wants there for the delivery they should be there beforehand and if not, then they can wait the few minutes for the delivery to finish and mom to be cleaned and covered.

jhhrn68 · Jul 25, 2008

Our moms can have 3 people with them during delivery. Once the table is set up and she is in stirrups, we do not allow any one else in. And no one comes into the room until after delivery and she is out of stirrups and the room somewhat cleaned up.

EllenDeeRN · Jul 25, 2008

We do not allow people to come and go once a patient starts pushing up until the time that any perineal repair is complete and the pt is somewhat "put back together". Nothing grates on my nerves more than people going in and out while someone who has just pushed for 2+ hrs is laying there, exhausted with her legs spread eagle in stirrups and she hasn't even held her baby yet. Ugh...can ya tell it's a pet peeve of mine?!?

vandermom · Jul 25, 2008

We have no set number of visitors for delivery. It is at the discretion of the MD and pt. (sometimes the entire village is here it seems). Once the table is opened then they must stay at the far side of the bed. I establish "my territory" early on so there is no question as to where people will be.