These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Administrative, counseling and medical practices in National Abortion Federation facilities.
    Author: Landy U, Lewit S.
    Journal: Fam Plann Perspect; 1982; 14(5):257-62. PubMed ID: 6926971.
    Abstract:
    A survey of members of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), most of them non-hospital facilities, responsible for performing almost half of the abortions in the United States, was carried out by the NAF in 1981. Among the principal findings were the following: Fifty-three percent of the NAF facilities are freestanding clinics operated for profit. Fifty-one percent are open more than 50 hours per week, and 77 percent are open six days a week; 86 percent are open on Saturdays. Seventy-five percent of the physicians performing abortions in these facilities are gynecologists. Counseling provided by specially trained abortion counselors is a unique contribution of abortion facilities to health-care delivery. Virtually all facilities employ counselors who are neither doctors nor nurses. Most NAF facilities have more counselors than nurses and more nurses than doctors. Counseling in virtually all facilities includes providing written as well as verbal information about the nature of the procedure and its medical risks; such information is given to the patient so that she can give informed consent for the abortion. Almost all facilities include information about contraception and about the options available to a woman with a problem pregnancy. Most offer counseling to the male, as well as the female partner, on the patient's request. Twenty-eight percent of facilities generally provide both individual and group counseling. Where only one type of counseling is provided, it is usually individual counseling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) A survey of members of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), most of them nonhospital, and responsible for performing almost half of the abortions in the United States, was carried out by the NAF in 1981. Findings show that 53% operate for profit, they are open 5 days or more per week, and 75 percent of physicians in the clinics are gynecologists. There are more counselors than nurses and more nurses than doctors. Counseling is written and verbal; there is individual and group counseling. Minors are encouraged to involve parents but most facilities do not require the minors to do so. Pregnancy tests are usually required and most facilities do not require appointments or referrals. Abortions take place within a week of the pregnancy test. 20 to 25% of nonhospital facilities offer abortion in the second trimester but 83% of clinics and 62% of physicians performing abortion in their offices do so. Facilities use metal dilators (89%), laminara (15%), for 1st trimester abortions, for 2nd trimester D&E procedures, laminaria was used as often or more often. Contraceptive services are made available and followup visits are recommended. There is 24 hour contact in case of emergencies. NAF nonhospital clinics are more likely than nonmember clinics to provide abortion services primarily.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]