2014 clinical policy guidelines

2014



2014

Clinical Policy

Guidelines

1660 L Street, NW, Suite 450

Washington, DC 20036

www.prochoice.org

National Abortion Federation Clinical Policy Guidelines can be accessed on the Internet at

www.guidelines.gov.

The National Abortion Federation is the professional association of abortion providers in the

Americas. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care, which promotes

health and justice for women.

National Abortion Federation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... iii

NOTES ON FORMATTING ............................................................................................................. v

1. WHO CAN PROVIDE ABORTIONS ............................................................................................ 1

2. PATIENT EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND INFORMED CONSENT ......................................... 2

3. INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL ............................................................................... 4

4. RH TESTING AND RH IMMUNOGLOBULIN ADMINISTRATION ............................................... 6

LIMITED SONOGRAPHY IN ABORTION CARE .......................................................................... 8

6. EARLY MEDICAL ABORTION ................................................................................................. 10

FIRST-TRIMESTER SURGICAL ABORTION ............................................................................. 15

8. MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANCY OF UNCERTAIN LOCATION ............................................... 18

9. ABORTION BY DILATION AND EVACUATION ........................................................................ 21

10. SECOND-TRIMESTER INDUCTION ABORTION .................................................................... 25

11. ANALGESIA AND SEDATION ................................................................................................ 29

12. USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN ABORTION .................................................................................... 37

13. COMPLICATIONS: BLEEDING .............................................................................................. 39

14. COMPLICATIONS: PERFORATION ........................................................................................ 41

15. POST-PROCEDURE CARE ..................................................................................................... 43

16. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.................................................................................................. 44

17. EVALUATION OF EVACUATED UTERINE CONTENTS .......................................................... 45

National Abortion Federation

iii

National Abortion Federation

2014 CLINICAL POLICY GUIDELINES

NTRODUCTION

The mission of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible

abortion care, which promotes health and justice for women. An important part of this work is

to develop and maintain evidence-based guidelines and standards as well as to educate providers

in the latest technologies and techniques. NAF’s programs make it possible for women to receive

the highest quality abortion care.

Like its precursors, the 2014 edition of NAF’s Clinical Policy Guidelines (CPGs) establishes

clinical policy guidelines, which are developed by consensus, based on rigorous review of the

relevant medical literature and known patient outcomes. These guidelines are intended to

provide a basis for ongoing quality assurance, help reduce unnecessary care and costs, help

protect providers in malpractice suits, provide ongoing medical education, and encourage

research.

NAF's Clinical Policy Guidelines, first published in 1996 and revised annually, are based on the

methodology described by David Eddy, MD, in A Manual for Assessing Health Practices and

Designing Practice Policies: The Explicit Approach. Clinical policy guidelines are defined as a

systematically developed series of statements which assist practitioners and patients in making

decisions about appropriate health care. They represent an attempt to distill a large body of

medical knowledge into a convenient and readily usable format.

When the outcomes of an intervention are known, practitioner choices are limited. But when the

outcomes of an intervention are uncertain or variable, and/or when patients' preferences for those

outcomes are uncertain or variable, practitioners must be given flexibility to tailor a policy to

individual cases. This is addressed by having three types of practice policies according to their

intended flexibility: standards, recommendations, and options.

1) STANDARDS are intended to be applied in virtually all cases. Deviations will be rare

and difficult to justify.

2) RECOMMENDATIONS are steering in nature. They do not have the force of

standards, but when not adhered to, there should be documented, rational clinical

justification. They allow some latitude in clinical management.

3) OPTIONS are neutral with respect to a treatment choice. They merely note that

different interventions are available and that different people make different choices.

They may contribute to the educational process, and they require no justification.

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NAF’s Clinical Policy Guidelines include a list of bibliographic and cited references for each

section when appropriate, and include discussion material in more controversial areas. These

guidelines are meant to be living documents, subject to revision every year as new medical

evidence becomes available.

Note: The Clinical Policy Guidelines are not intended to educate members regarding legal and

regulatory issues which may affect abortion practice. It is expected that administrators, staff, and

clinicians will be aware of pertinent local, state/provincial/territorial, and national legislation as

well as the requirements and limitations of their individual duties and scope of professional

practice. NAF provider members should ensure that all employees have access to appropriate

resources for information and support.

References:

1. Eddy, DM. Clinical decision making: From theory to practice. Designing a practice policy: Standards,

guidelines, and options. JAMA 1990, 263:3077.

2. Eddy, DM. A Manual for Assessing Health Practices and Designing Practice Policies: The Explicit Approach.

Philadelphia: American College of Physicians, 1992.

3. Field, M & Lohr, K (Eds). Guidelines for Clinical Practice: From Development to Use. Washington, DC: National

Academy Press, 1992.

4. Garnick, D, et al. Can practice guidelines reduce the number and costs of malpractice claims? JAMA 1991,

266:2856.

5. Hadorn, D, et al. An annotated algorithm approach to clinical guideline development. JAMA 1992, 267:3311.

6. Hayward, RS, et al. Users' guide to the medical literature VIII: How to use clinical practice guidelines; A. Are

the recommendations valid? JAMA 1995, 274:570.

7. James, BC. Implementing Practice Guidelines through Clinical Quality Improvement. Frontiers of Health

Services Management 1993, 10: 1.

8. Leape, LL. Practice guidelines and standards: An overview. Qual Rev Bull. 1990, 161:42.

9. Meeker, CI. A consensus-based approach to practice parameters. Obstet Gynecol 1992, 79:790.

10. Walker, RD, et al. Medical Practice Guidelines. West J Med 1994, 161: 39.

11. Woolf, SH. Practice Guidelines: A New Reality in Medicine. I. Recent Developments. Arch Intern Med 1990,

150: 1811.

12. Woolf, SH. Practice Guidelines: A New Reality in Medicine. II. Methods of Developing Guidelines. Arch

Intern Med 1992, 152: 946.

13. Woolf, SH. Practice Guidelines: A New Reality in Medicine. III. Impact on Patient Care. Arch Intern Med

1993, 153: 2646.

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NOTES ON FORMATTING

As presented here, Standards, Recommendations, and Options are hierarchical in nature. It is

therefore expected that clinical practices will favor the highest level of guidance available on a

given point. In order to clarify the relationships of Recommendations and/or Options that are

subordinate to higher level Standards and/or Recommendations, NAF’s guidelines are numbered

and formatted according to the following scheme:

Within each main subject heading, Standards are numbered consecutively (e.g., Standard 1).

Recommendations are also numbered consecutively within each main subject heading, with numbers

that are placed in the first position to the right of a decimal point (e.g., Recommendation 0.1). Where

a recommendation follows from or is related to a Standard, it is indented below the Standard and the

number of that Standard will be found to the left of the decimal point (e.g., Recommendation 1.1).

Where the recommendation stands alone and is not related to a specific Standard, it is not indented in

its placement on the page, and there will be a zero in the position to the left of the decimal point (e.g.,

Recommendation 0.1).

The consecutive numbers denoting Options within each main subject heading are placed to the

right of the second decimal point (e.g., Option 0.0.1). Where an option follows from or is related

to a preceding Standard or Recommendation, it is indented below that Standard or

Recommendation and the numbers identifying them will be found to the left of the decimal

point and in the first position to the right of the decimal point respectively (e.g., Option 1.0.1 or

Option 1.1.1, or Option 0.1.1). Where the Option stands alone and is not related to a specific

Standard or Recommendation, it is not indented in its placement on the page, and there will be

zeros in those positions (e.g., Option 0.0.1).

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1. WHO CAN PROVIDE ABORTIONS

Policy Statement: Abortion is a safe procedure when provided by qualified practitioners.

Standard 1. Abortion will be provided by licensed

∗

practitioners. This category

is intended to

include physicians from various specialties as well as nurse midwives, nurse

practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and other health

professionals.

Recommendation 1.1. Documentation specifying privileges in accordance with each

practitioner’s scope of practice should be maintained.

Standard 2. All practitioners providing abortions must have received training to competency

in abortion care, including the prevention, recognition, and management of

complications.

Recommendation 2.1. Appropriate referrals should be available for patients who

cannot be cared for by a practitioner at your facility.

†

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∗

The term “licensed” is used here to indicate that a person is lawfully entitled to practice their profession in the

place in which the practice takes place. The laws are different throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and

Colombia.

†

This may include the NAF Referral Line.

National Abortion Federation

2. PATIENT EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND INFORMED CONSENT

Policy Statement: Obtaining informed consent and assessing that the decision to have an

abortion is made freely by the patient are essential parts of the abortion process.

Informed Consent

Standard 1. The practitioner must ensure that appropriate personnel have a discussion with

the patient in which accurate information is provided about the procedure and its

alternatives, and the potential risks and benefits. The patient must have the

opportunity to have any questions answered to her satisfaction prior to

intervention.

Option 1.0.1. Information may be provided either on an individual basis or in

group sessions.

Standard 2. There must be documentation that the patient affirms that she understands the

procedure and its alternatives, and the potential risks and benefits; and that her

decision is voluntary.

Patient Education and Counseling

Standard 3. Each patient must have a private opportunity to discuss issues and concerns about

her abortion.

Standard 4. A patient must undergo the abortion as expeditiously as possible in accordance

with good medical practice.

Standard 5. Information about aftercare and contraception must be available to patients at the

facility.

Standard 6. All reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure the patient’s confidentiality.

Recommendation 6.0. The patient should be informed of the communication of

information to any third party such as for payment for an

abortion.

Discussion: Informed consent and abortion counseling are two different processes. The goal of

informed consent is to assure that the patient’s decision is voluntary and informed. Patient

education and counseling includes a discussion of the feelings and concerns expressed by the

patient, which may include help with decision-making and contraceptive choices, values

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clarification, or referral to other professionals. A referral to community services should be

available if that becomes necessary or the needs of the patient are outside the scope of training of

clinic staff.

References:

1. Perucci, Alisa. Decision Assessment And Counseling In Abortion Care: Philosophy And Practice. Lanham: Rowman

& Littlefield, 2012.

2. Baker, A. Abortion and Options Counseling: A Comprehensive Reference. Granite City, Illinois: The Hope Clinic

for Women, 1995.

3. Baker, A, et al. Informed Consent, Counseling and Patient Education. In Paul, M. et al. (Eds.), A Clinician’s

Guide to Medical and Surgical Abortion. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone, 1999.

4. Benson Gold, R. & Nash, E. State abortion counseling policies and the fundamental principles of informed

consent, Guttmacher Policy Review 2007, 10(4), 8-13.

5. Needle, R. & Walker, L. Abortion Counseling: A Clinician’s Guide to Psychology, Legislation, Politics, and

Competency. Springer Publishing Co., 2008.

National Abortion Federation

3. INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Policy Statement: Health care personnel and their patients are at risk for exposure to blood

borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Infectious material may be transmitted

to patients when proper engineering

and work practice controls,

†

which reduce exposure are not

followed.

Standard 1. Proper engineering and work practice controls should be in place to reduce

exposure of patient and staff to infectious materials. Clinics should protect

employees and patients from being exposed to biohazardous material.

Recommendation 1.1. Personal protective equipment and training programs should be

provided to all staff. New staff with potential exposure should have

an initial training as part of orientation. Periodic facility-level

training should occur at least every three years.

Recommendation 1.2. Hepatitis B vaccine should be provided at no cost to the staff.

Standard 2. Exposure control plans must be established and followed.

Recommendation 2.1. Post exposure evaluation, prophylaxis, and follow-up should be

available to exposed patients or staff for any potentially infectious

agent, regardless of source.

Standard 3. All surgically removed tissue must be considered biohazardous and be handled,

stored, and disposed of in a manner that minimizes the risk of exposure. A protocol

for tissue handling, storage, and disposal must be in place

Discussion: Regulatory agency policies (see references) may be helpful in developing exposure

plans that protect personnel and patients from potentially infectious material. Proper techniques

for collection, labeling, and disposal of biohazardous material and for the processing of

instruments are integral to any complete plan.

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Engineering control—available technology and devices that isolate or remove hazards from the work place, such as

puncture-resistant sharps disposal containers.

†

Work practice control—an alteration in the way a task is performed that reduces the likelihood that an employee

will be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

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References:

1. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Universal Precautions and Routine Practices (2011).

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/universa.html.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (September 2013). Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS,

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C. www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 2011). Infection Prevention Checklist for Outpatient

Settings: Minimal Expectations for Safe Care. www.cdc.gov/HAI/pdfs/guidelines/ambulatory-care-checklist-

07-2011.pdf.

4. Claflin, N, Hayden, C (1998). National Association for Healthcare Quality Guide To Quality Management,

Glenview, IL.

5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor (last reviewed September 2013).

Blood Borne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention. www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html.

6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor (2001; last amended April 2012)

Standard 1910.1030: Blood borne Pathogens.

www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10051.

7. Ontario Hospital Association (2010). Blood-Borne Diseases Surveillance Protocol for Ontario Hospitals.

Pub#206. www.oha.com/Services/HealthSafety/Documents/Blood%20Borne%20Diseases%20Protocol%20-

%20Reviewed%20and%20Revised%20November%202012.pdf.

8. Public Health Ontario. Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical

Equipment/Devices in All Health Care Settings (2010). http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/pidac-knowledge/.

9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings:

Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the

HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. MMWR 2002;51(RR-16): 1-44.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5116.pdf.

National Abortion Federation

4. RH TESTING AND RH IMMUNOGLOBULIN ADMINISTRATION

Policy Statement: Rh alloimmunization may jeopardize the health of a subsequent

pregnancy.(1-8)

Standard 1. Rh status testing must be offered to all women undergoing first-trimester

abortion.

Standard 2. Rh status must be documented in all women undergoing second-trimester

abortion.

Recommendation 2.1. This documentation may be obtained by on-site testing or outside

source, or self-report.

Recommendation 2.2.

Informed waiver should be signed by a patient who declines Rh

testing and is unaware of her RH status.

Recommendation 2.3.

Additional testing for either sensitization or other antibodies is

not required in patients undergoing pregnancy termination,

including testing for Du (“weak D”).

Standard 3. Rh immunoglobulin administration must be offered to Rh(-) women.

Standard 4. If Rh immunoglobulin is not administered in the facility, one of the following is

required:

(a) Informed waiver signed by a patient who declines Rh immunoglobulin; or

(b) Documentation of other arrangements for administration.

Discussion: No data supports the administration of Rh immunoglobulin in very early

pregnancies (less than eight weeks), or that indicate any harm associated with its administration.

Until/unless such data is available, the NAF Rh testing standards must be applied to pregnancies

of any gestation.

The use of approved slide/tube/spot methods is acceptable for on-site Rh testing.

References:

1. Baskett TF, Parsons ML. Prevention of Rh(D) alloimmunization: a cost-benefit analysis. CMAJ.

1990;142(4):337-9.

2. Bowman JM. The prevention of Rh immunization. Transfus Med Rev. 1988;2(3):129-50.

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3. Chavez GF, Mulinare J, Edmonds LD. Epidemiology of Rh hemolytic disease of the newborn in the United

States. JAMA. 1991;265(24):3270-4.

4. Gibble JW, Ness PM. Maternal immunity to red cell antigens and fetal transfusion. Clin Lab Med.

1992;12(3):553-76.

5. Jabara S, Barnhart KT. Is Rh immune globulin needed in early first-trimester abortion? A review. Am J Obstet

Gynecol. 2003;188(3):623-7.

6. Roberts H, Mitchell R. The use of anti-D prophylaxis in the management of miscarriage in general practice.

Health Bull (Edinb). 1991;49(4):245-9.

7. Selinger M. Immunoprophylaxis for rhesus disease—expensive but worth it? BJOG: An International Journal of

Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 1991;98(6):509-12.

8. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 4: Prevention of Rh D alloimmunization. Washington, DC: American College of

Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1999 May. Report No.: Contract No.: 4.

National Abortion Federation

5. LIMITED SONOGRAPHY IN ABORTION CARE

Policy Statement: The use of ultrasound is not a requirement for the provision of first-trimester

abortion care. Proper use of ultrasound may inform clinical decision-making in abortion care.

Standard 1. Staff members who perform ultrasound exams and clinicians who interpret those

exams must either show documentation of proficiency or complete a program of

training. Training must include a period of supervision. Documentation of this

training must be maintained.

Option 1.1.1. The Ultrasound Training in Abortion Care CD-ROM

developed by ARMS, NAF, and CAPS is a good resource for

training and may be utilized as part of a training program.(1)

Standard 2. A system of proficiency review must be in place for staff members who perform

ultrasound exams and clinicians who interpret those exams.

Standard 3. Patients must be informed of the purpose and limitations of the ultrasound exam

in the abortion care setting. Patients must be informed of the sonographic

diagnosis, including early pregnancy failure.(2, 3)

Standard 4. The findings of all ultrasound exams and the interpretation of those findings must

be documented in the medical record. This documentation must also include the

name(s) of staff who performed and interpreted the exam.

Recommendation 4.1. Ultrasound images should be included as part of the

documentation, particularly for the purposes of proficiency

review.(4)

Recommendation 4.2.

A standard form for documenting findings and interpretation

should be used.

Standard 5. A limited first-trimester ultrasound exam must include the following:

(1) A full scan of the uterus in both the transverse and longitudinal planes to confirm an

intrauterine pregnancy;

(2) Evaluation of pregnancy number;

(3) Measurements to document gestational age; and

(4) Evaluation of pregnancy landmarks, such as yolk sac or the presence or absence of

fetal/embryonic cardiac activity.

Recommendation 5.1. When clinically indicated, evaluation of other pelvic structures

(i.e., adnexal structures and the cul de sac) should be performed

and documented or an appropriate referral should be made for

further evaluation.

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Standard 6. A limited second-trimester ultrasound exam must include the following:

(1) Views to document intrauterine location of the pregnancy;

(2) Evaluation of fetal number;

(3) Fetal measurements to document gestational age;

(4) Evaluation of fetal cardiac activity; and

(5) Placental location.

Recommendation 6.2. When placenta previa is suspected or a low anterior placenta is

identified in a patient with a prior uterine scar, or when other

placental abnormality is suspected, further diagnostic imaging

should be performed or an appropriate referral made.

Standard 7. Ultrasound equipment must be properly maintained.

Standard 8. Ultrasound transducers must be disinfected between patients.

Discussion: According to the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), in

collaboration with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American

College of Radiology, a “limited ultrasound examination” is performed when a specific question

requires investigation.(4-6)

References:

1. Deutchman M, Reeves M, Fjerstad M. Ultrasound in Abortion Care Training Program (CD-ROM and

Workbook). Affiliates Risk Management Services, Inc., 2007.

2. Goldstein SR, Reeves MF. Assessing pregnancy status and gestational age. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S, Borgatta

L, Grimes D, Stubblefield P, Creinin M, editors. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy:

Comprehensive Abortion Care. London: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009.

3. Perriera L, Reeves MF. Ultrasound Criteria for Diagnosis of Early Pregnancy Failure and Ectopic Pregnancy.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 2008;26(5):373-82.

4. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. AIUM Practice Guideline for the Performance of Obstetric

Ultrasound Examinations. Laurel, MD: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, 2007.

5. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. AIUM Official Statement: Limited Obstetrical Ultrasound.

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, 2009.

6. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 101: Ultrasonography in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113(2, Part 1):451-61

National Abortion Federation

6. EARLY MEDICAL ABORTION

Policy Statement: Medical induction is an effective method for early abortion.(1-8) Adequate

counseling and follow-up care will enhance its safety and acceptability.

Standard 1. Initial evaluation must include pertinent medical history.

Recommendation 1.1. Baseline vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse) should be done.

Recommendation 1.2. Either hematocrit or hemoglobin screening should be obtained

in women with a history of significant anemia or specific

indication.

Recommendation 1.3. A complete blood count (CBC) should be considered for

women receiving methotrexate.

Standard 2. The patient must be informed about the efficacy, side effects, and risks, especially

excessive bleeding and infection.

Standard 3. The patient must be informed of the need to ensure the success of the abortion

and of the teratogenicity associated with the medications to be used.

Standard 4. The patient must be informed that a uterine aspiration will be recommended if

medical abortion fails.

Standard 5. Patient instructions must include written and oral information about use of

medications at home and symptoms of abortion complications.

Standard 6. The facility must provide an emergency contact service on a 24-hour basis and

must offer or assure referral for uterine aspiration if indicated.

Standard 7. Confirmation of pregnancy must be documented. Gestational age must be

verified to be within the limit of the facility medical abortion protocol.

Standard 8. If an ultrasound has been performed and an intrauterine gestation has not been

confirmed, ectopic pregnancy must be considered. Additional evaluation should

follow a protocol as outlined in CPG 8. Management of Pregnancy of Uncertain

Location. Starting the medical abortion regimen does not need to be delayed.

Standard 9. Combined mifepristone/misoprostol regimens are more effective than misoprostol

alone or methotrexate and misoprostol. An evidence-based medical abortion

regimen must be used.(9-11)

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Recommendation 9.1. Where mifepristone is available, a combined mifepristone-

misoprostol regimen should be used. (1-7, 12-14)

Option 9.1.1. If a misoprostol-alone or methotrexate-misoprostol regimen is

offered when mifepristone is available, full information on the

differences between the chosen regimen and mifepristone-

misoprostol regimens should be addressed with the patient and

informed consent obtained.

Recommendation 9.2.

A dose of 200 mg of mifepristone is recommended for

combined mifepristone-misoprostol regimen.(7, 11)

Recommendation 9.3. When mifepristone and vaginal, buccal, or sublingual

misoprostol are used, the regimen is recommended for

gestations up to 70 days.(15, 16)

Recommendation 9.4. When mifepristone and oral misoprostol are used, the regimen

is recommended for gestations up to 56 days.(17)

Recommendation 9.5. A regimen of misoprostol alone may be used by vaginal, buccal,

or sublingual routes for gestations up to 63 days.(9-11, 18-22)

Recommendation 9.6: When methotrexate and misoprostol are used, an evidence-

based regimen using vaginal, buccal, or sublingual misoprostol

is recommended for gestations up to 63 days.(7, 23-25)

Standard 10. Patient comfort level during the medical abortion process must be considered.

Recommendation 10.1.

Analgesia or other comfort measures should be discussed and

offered as needed unless there are contraindications. Ibuprofen

is more effective than acetaminophen for pain control.(26-28)

Standard 11. Success of the medical abortion must be assessed by ultrasonography, hCG

testing, or by clinical means in the office or by telephone. If the patient has failed

to follow-up as planned, clinic staff must document attempts to reach the patient.

All attempts to contact the patient (phone calls and letters) must be documented

in the patient’s medical record.(29-31)

Recommendation 11.1.

Follow-up evaluation should be scheduled for 7-14 days after

starting medical abortion.(7)

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Recommendation 11.2. High-sensitivity urine hCG testing should not be checked

within three weeks of medical abortion.(32, 33)

Recommendation 11.3. Ultrasonography or hCG levels should be used to evaluate

completion of the abortion when expected bleeding does not

occur after medications.

Recommendation 11.4. Endometrial thickness alone should not be used to guide

management after medical abortion.(34, 35)

Discussion: Many patients prefer pharmacological methods of terminating early pregnancies

rather than suction curettage. Medical abortion has several advantages for patients. It avoids

surgery and anesthesia and offers women more active participation and control over the abortion

process.

References:

1. Chong E, Tsereteli T, Nguyen NN, Winikoff B. A randomized controlled trial of different buccal misoprostol

doses in mifepristone medical abortion. Contraception. 2012;86(3):251-6.

2. Raghavan S, Comendant R, Digol I, Ungureanu S, Dondiuc I, Turcanu S, et al. Comparison of 400 mcg buccal

and 400 mcg sublingual misoprostol after mifepristone medical abortion through 63 days' LMP: a randomized

controlled trial. Contraception. 2010;82(6):513-9.

3. Raghavan S, Comendant R, Digol I, Ungureanu S, Friptu V, Bracken H, et al. Two-pill regimens of

misoprostol after mifepristone medical abortion through 63 days' gestational age: a randomized controlled trial

of sublingual and oral misoprostol. Contraception. 2009;79(2):84-90.

4. Raymond EG, Shannon C, Weaver MA, Winikoff B. First-trimester medical abortion with mifepristone 200

mg and misoprostol: a systematic review. Contraception. 2013;87(1):26-37.

5. Shannon C, Wiebe E, Jacot F, Guilbert E, Dunn S, Sheldon WR, et al. Regimens of misoprostol with

mifepristone for early medical abortion: a randomised trial. BJOG. 2006;113(6):621-8.

6. von Hertzen H, Huong NT, Piaggio G, Bayalag M, Cabezas E, Fang AH, et al. Misoprostol dose and route

after mifepristone for early medical abortion: a randomised controlled noninferiority trial. BJOG.

2010;117(10):1186-96.

7. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 143: Medical Management of

First-Trimester Abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123(3):676-92.

8. Niinimaki M, Suhonen S, Mentula M, Hemminki E, Heikinheimo O, Gissler M. Comparison of rates of

adverse events in adolescent and adult women undergoing medical abortion: population register based study.

BMJ. 2011;342:d2111.

9. Ngoc NTN, Blum J, Raghavan S, Nga NTB, Dabash R, Diop A, et al. Comparing two early medical abortion

regimens: mifepristone+misoprostol vs. misoprostol alone. Contraception. 2011;83(5):410-7.

National Abortion Federation

10. Blum J, Raghavan S, Dabash R, Ngoc NT, Chelli H, Hajri S, et al. Comparison of misoprostol-only and

combined mifepristone-misoprostol regimens for home-based early medical abortion in Tunisia and Vietnam.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2012;118(2):166-71.

11. World Health Organization. Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems. 2nd ed.

Geneva2012.

12. Lohr PA, Reeves MF, Hayes JL, Harwood B, Creinin MD. Oral mifepristone and buccal misoprostol

administered simultaneously for abortion through 63 days gestation [abstract]. Contraception. 2006;74(2):181.

13. Creinin MD, Fox MC, Teal S, Chen A, Schaff EA, Meyn LA, et al. A randomized comparison of misoprostol

6 to 8 hours versus 24 hours after mifepristone for abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;103(5 Pt 1):851-9.

14. Schaff EA, Fielding SL, Westhoff C, Ellertson C, Eisinger SH, Stadalius LS, et al. Vaginal misoprostol

administered 1, 2, or 3 days after mifepristone for early medical abortion: A randomized trial.[erratum appears

in JAMA 2000 Nov 22-29;284(20):2597]. JAMA. 2000;284(15):1948-53.

15. Boersma AA, Meyboom-de Jong B, Kleiverda G. Mifepristone followed by home administration of buccal

misoprostol for medical abortion up to 70 days of amenorrhoea in a general practice in Curaçao. The European

Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care. 2011;16(2):61-6.

16. Gouk EV, Lincoln K, Khair A, Haslock J, Knight J, Cruickshank DJ. Medical termination of pregnancy at 63

to 83 days gestation. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1999;106(6):535-9.

17. Winikoff B, Dzuba IG, Creinin MD, Crowden WA, Goldberg AB, Gonzales J, et al. Two distinct oral routes

of misoprostol in mifepristone medical abortion: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol.

2008;112(6):1303-10.

18. von Hertzen H, Piaggio G, Huong NT, Arustamyan K, Cabezas E, Gomez M, et al. Efficacy of two intervals

and two routes of administration of misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy: a randomised controlled

equivalence trial. Lancet. 2007;369(9577):1938-46.

19. Kulier R, Kapp N, Gulmezoglu AM, Hofmeyr GJ, Cheng L, Campana A. Medical methods for first trimester

abortion. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011(11):CD002855.

20. Singh K, Fong YF, Dong F. A viable alternative to surgical vacuum aspiration: repeated doses of intravaginal

misoprostol over 9 hours for medical termination of pregnancies up to eight weeks. BJOG. 2003;110(2):175-80.

21. Salakos N, Kountouris A, Botsis D, Rizos D, Gregoriou O, Detsis G, et al. First-trimester pregnancy

termination with 800 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 12 h. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care.

2005;10(4):249-54.

22. Rodriguez MI, Seuc A, Kapp N, von Hertzen H, Huong NTM, Wojdyla D, et al. Acceptability of

misoprostol-only medical termination of pregnancy compared with vacuum aspiration: an international,

multicentre trial. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2012;119(7):817-23.

23. Aldrich T, Winikoff B. Does methotrexate confer a significant advantage over misoprostol alone for early

medical abortion? A retrospective analysis of 8678 abortions. Bjog. 2007;114(5):555-62.

24. Carbonell Esteve JL, Varela L, Velazco A, Tanda R, Sanchez C. 25 mg or 50 mg of oral methotrexate followed

by vaginal misoprostol 7 days after for early abortion: a randomized trial. Gynecol Obstet Invest.

1999;47(3):182-7.

National Abortion Federation

25. Wiebe ER. Oral methotrexate compared with injected methotrexate when used with misoprostol for abortion.

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999;181(1):149-52.

26. Livshits A, Machtinger R, David LB, Spira M, Moshe-Zahav A, Seidman DS. Ibuprofen and paracetamol for

pain relief during medical abortion: a double-blind randomized controlled study. Fertil Steril. 2009;91(5):1877-

80.

27. Weber B, Fontan JE. Acetaminophen as a pain enhancer during voluntary interruption of pregnancy with

mifepristone and sulprostone. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1990;39(6):609.

28. Weber B, Fontan JE, Scheller E, Debu E, Dufour B, Majorel P, et al. [Abortion induced by mifepristone and

sulprostone combination: attempting analgesia with acetominophen or dipropyline]. Contracept Fertil Sex

(Paris). 1990;18(12):1073-6.

29. Bracken H, Clark W, Lichtenberg ES, Schweikert SM, Tanenhaus J, Barajas A, et al. Alternatives to routine

ultrasound for eligibility assessment prior to early termination of pregnancy with mifepristone–misoprostol.

BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2011;118(1):17-23.

30. Cameron ST, Glasier A, Dewart H, Johnstone A, Burnside A. Telephone follow-up and self-performed urine

pregnancy testing after early medical abortion: a service evaluation. Contraception. 2012;86(1):67-73.

31. Clark W, Bracken H, Tanenhaus J, Schweikert S, Lichtenberg ES, Winikoff B. Alternatives to a routine

follow-up visit for early medical abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;115(2 Pt 1):264-72.

32. Godfrey EM, Anderson A, Fielding SL, Meyn L, Creinin MD. Clinical utility of urine pregnancy assays to

determine medical abortion outcome is limited. Contraception. 2007;75(5):378-82.

33. Perriera LK, Reeves MF, Chen BA, Hohmann HL, Hayes J, Creinin MD. Feasibility of telephone follow-up

after medical abortion. Contraception. 2010;81(2):143-9.

34. Reeves MF, Fox MC, Lohr PA, Creinin MD. Endometrial Thickness Following Medical Abortion Is not

Predictive of Subsequent Surgical Intervention. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;34(1):104-9.

35. Reeves MF, Lohr PA, Harwood BJ, Creinin MD. Ultrasonographic Endometrial Thickness After Medical and

Surgical Management of Early Pregnancy Failure. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;111(1):106-12.

National Abortion Federation

7. FIRST-TRIMESTER SURGICAL ABORTION

Policy Statement: Induced abortion is one of the safest surgical procedures. The following

guidelines are intended to outline procedures that maximize this safety.

Standard 1. Pertinent medical history must be obtained.

Standard 2. Pregnancy must be confirmed and gestational age must be assessed.

Recommendation 2.1. When gestational age cannot be reasonably determined by

other means, ultrasonography should be used.

Option 2.1.1. Ultrasonography, can verify an intrauterine pregnancy and

determine gestational age, using a consistent and published

table of fetal measurements.(1, 2)

Standard 3. Appropriate initial evaluation must be performed. Baseline blood pressure and

pulse must be obtained for all patients.

Recommendation 3.1. Physical exam should be done as indicated by medical history

and patient symptoms.

Recommendation 3.2. Hemoglobin/hematocrit and other laboratory evaluation

should be done as indicated by medical history and patient

symptoms

. However, routine hemoglobin or hemacrit has not

been shown to be helpful.

Standard 4. All instruments entering the uterine cavity must be sterile.

Option 4.1.1. The vagina may be cleansed with a bacteriocidal agent though

randomized trials have failed to show a benefit to this

practice.(3)

Standard 5. The cervix should be appropriately dilated for the gestational age.

Recommendation 5.1. Cervical dilation may be achieved through the use of rigid

cervical dilators. Tapered dilators such as Pratt or Denniston

dilators are recommended over non-tapered dilators such as

Hegar dilators.(4)

Option 5.1.1. The routine use of 400 mcg misoprostol before procedures may

reduce rare complications but must be balanced against

increased pain and other side effects for all patients.(5) Doses

higher than 400 mcg are not recommended.

National Abortion Federation

Option 5.1.2. Misoprostol and/or osmotic dilators may be considered when

cervical dilation is expected to be difficult.(6)

Standard 6. First-trimester surgical abortion must be performed by aspiration of the uterus,

not by sharp curettage.(7-9)

Recommendation 6.1. Uterine aspiration is effective throughout the first trimester

including prior to confirmation of a definitive intrauterine

pregnancy on ultrasound.(10)

Standard 7. The procedure and all medications given must be documented.

Standard 8. Termination of pregnancy must be confirmed prior to the woman leaving the

facility or further evaluation must be initiated.

Recommendation 8.1.

Evacuated uterine contents should be examined before the

woman leaves the facility.

Recommendation 8.2. In first-trimester terminations, flotation of tissue with

backlighting should be used to identify products of conception,

including gestational sac.

Option 8.2.1. Sending the evacuated uterine contents for additional

pathological examination is not required.(11)

Standard 9. When insufficient tissue or incomplete products of conception are obtained, the

patient must be re-evaluated.

Recommendation 9.1. Re-aspiration, serial quantitative hCG, and/or

ultrasonographic examination should be considered.

Standard 10. If insufficient tissue is present after adequate patient evaluation, ectopic pregnancy

must be considered, and the patient must be informed of symptoms and dangers

of ectopic pregnancy.

Recommendation 10.1. If the uterine cavity is determined to be empty, serial

quantitative hCG tests should be measured.(12-14)

Discussion: One option for additional evaluation if sufficient POC are not identified is the use

of serum quantitative hCG testing. A baseline hCG can be drawn and a second hCG can be

done in 24-48 hours. If there is a decrease of 50% or more, no further ectopic follow up is

necessary.(14-16) Otherwise, further evaluation should be initiated including consideration of

ectopic pregnancy.

National Abortion Federation

References:

1. Perriera L, Reeves MF. Ultrasound Criteria for Diagnosis of Early Pregnancy Failure and Ectopic Pregnancy.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 2008;26(5):373-82.

2. Goldstein SR, Reeves MF. Assessing pregnancy status and gestational age. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S, Borgatta

L, Grimes D, Stubblefield P, Creinin M, editors. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy:

Comprehensive Abortion Care. London: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009.

3. Achilles SL, Reeves MF. Prevention of infection after induced abortion: SFP Guideline 20102. Contraception.

2011;83(4):295-309.

4. Hulka JF, Lefler HT, Jr., Anglone A, Lachenbruch PA. A new electronic force monitor to measure factors

influencing cervical dilation for vacuum curettage. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1974;120(2):166-73.

5. Meirik O, Huong NTM, Piaggio G, Bergel E, von Hertzen H. Complications of first-trimester abortion by

vacuum aspiration after cervical preparation with and without misoprostol: a multicentre randomised trial. The

Lancet. 2012.

6. Allen RH, Goldberg AB. Cervical dilation before first-trimester surgical abortion (<14 weeks' gestation): SFP

Guideline 20071. Contraception. 2007;76(2):139-56.

7. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Consensus Statement on Uterine Evacuation: Uterine

evacuation: use vacuum aspiration or medications, not sharp curettage. London: FIGO, 2011.

8. World Health Organization. Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems. 2nd ed.

Geneva2012.

9. Paul M, Lichtenberg ES, Borgatta L, Grimes DA, Stubblefield PG, Creinin MD. Management of Unintended

and Abnormal Pregnancy: Comprehensive Abortion Care. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009.

10. Lichtenberg ES, Paul M. Surgical abortion prior to 7 weeks of gestation: SFP Guideline 20132. Contraception.

2013;88(1):7-17.

11. Paul M, Lackie E, Mitchell C, Rogers A, Fox M. Is pathology examination useful after early surgical abortion?

Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99(4):567-71.

12. Barnhart K, Sammel MD, Chung K, Zhou L, Hummel AC, Guo W. Decline of serum human chorionic

gonadotropin and spontaneous complete abortion: defining the normal curve. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104(5 Pt

1):975-81.

13. van der Lugt B, Drogendijk A. The disappearance of human chorionic gonadotropin from plasma and urine

following induced abortion. Disappearance of HCG after induced abortion. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.

1985;64(7):547-52.

14. Steier JA, Bergsjø P, Myking OL. Human chorionic gonadotropin in maternal plasma after induced abortion,

spontaneous abortion, and removed ectopic pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1984;64(3):391-4.

15. Midgley AR, Jr., Jaffe RB. Regulation of human gonadotropins. II. Disappearance of human chorionic

gonadotropin following delivery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1968;28(12):1712-8.

16. Rizkallah T, Gurpide E, Vande Wiele RL. Metabolism of HCG in man. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.

1969;29(1):92-100.

National Abortion Federation

8. MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANCY OF UNCERTAIN LOCATION

Policy Statement: The early identification of ectopic pregnancy will reduce morbidity related to

rupture and increase the likelihood of successful non-surgical management.

Standard 1. The patient’s medical history must be evaluated in order to assess for the risk of

ectopic implantation in early pregnancy. Certain signs and symptoms, such as

vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and/or failure to identify a definitive intrauterine

pregnancy, should alert providers to the importance of following policies and

procedures for ruling out ectopic pregnancy.(1-3)

Recommendation 1.1. In these cases, evaluation should involve assessment of the

history in combination with one or more of the following:

physical exam, sonography, serial quantitative hCGs, and/or

uterine aspiration.(4)

Recommendation 1.2. Failure to identify a definite intrauterine pregnancy should not

delay abortion care at early gestations.(5-7)

Standard 2. Each facility must have a written protocol to evaluate ectopic pregnancy. All

relevant staff at the site must be familiar with the protocol.

Recommendation 2.1. This protocol may include referrals as appropriate.

Option 2.1.1. Posting a clinical algorithm for the evaluation of possible

ectopic pregnancy may be useful.(4, 8)

Standard 3. All patients with a pregnancy of uncertain location must be informed of the

options for evaluation and management. The symptoms and dangers associated

with ectopic pregnancy, and a plan for when and how to seek emergency medical

attention must be reviewed and documented.

Recommendation 3.1. Each facility should have a patient education handout

describing ectopic warning signs and the medical record should

reflect that the patient has received this handout.

Standard 4. When a medical or aspiration abortion is initiated for a patient with a pregnancy

of uncertain location, resolution of the pregnancy must be verified and

documented. This may be demonstrated by either the examination of aspirated

tissue or by following serial beta-hCG levels according to evidence-based

regimens.

National Abortion Federation

Standard 5. Patient follow-up must continue until one of the following:

(1) the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy has been excluded;

(2) clinical resolution of a possible ectopic pregnancy has been ensured; or

(3) transfer of care to an appropriate provider has been made and documented.

Standard 6. Patients experiencing symptoms suspicious for ruptured ectopic pregnancy must

be evaluated emergently.

Discussion: A combination of clinical assessment, pelvic ultrasound, serum quantitative hCG,

and/or examination of uterine aspirate is often needed to distinguish between an early

intrauterine gestation, a miscarriage, and an ectopic pregnancy.(1) With normal early gestations,

pre-procedure ultrasound may fail to identify an intrauterine pregnancy, leaving the clinician

uncertain about the viability and location of the pregnancy. Although a gestational sac can

usually be seen four to five weeks from LMP on transvaginal ultrasound, it may be confused with

a pseudo-sac associated with an ectopic pregnancy.(9, 10) Although visualization of a yolk sac or

embryo is needed to definitely confirm an intrauterine pregnancy on ultrasound,(11) the lack of

visualization of these structures should not delay abortion care.

In the emergency department, from 7 to 20% of women with a pregnancy of uncertain location

are subsequently found to have an ectopic pregnancy.(9) Although it is an important cause of

pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, ectopic implantation has been reported to occur in

less than 1% of pregnancies in women presenting for induced abortion.(5, 12)

References:

1. Kulp JL, Barnhart KT. Ectopic pregnancy. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S, Borgatta L, Grimes D, Stubblefield P,

Creinin M, editors. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy: Comprehensive Abortion Care.

London: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009.

2. Nama V, Manyonda I. Tubal ectopic pregnancy: diagnosis and management. Arch Gynecol Obstet.

2009;279(4):443-53.

3. Barnhart KT, Sammel MD, Gracia CR, Chittams J, Hummel AC, Shaunik A. Risk factors for ectopic

pregnancy in women with symptomatic first-trimester pregnancies. Fertil Steril. 2006;86(1):36-43.

4. Gracia CR, Barnhart KT. Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy: decision analysis comparing six strategies. Obstet

Gynecol. 2001;97(3):464-70.

5. Edwards J, Carson SA. New technologies permit safe abortion at less than six weeks' gestation and provide

timely detection of ectopic gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1997;176(5):1101-6.

6. Goldstone P, Michelson J, Williamson E. Effectiveness of early medical abortion using low-dose mifepristone

and buccal misoprostol in women with no defined intrauterine gestational sac. Contraception. 2013;87(6):855-

National Abortion Federation

7. Fjerstad M, Sivin I, Lichtenberg ES, Trussell J, Cleland K, Cullins V. Effectiveness of medical abortion with

mifepristone and buccal misoprostol through 59 gestational days. Contraception. 2009;80(3):282-6.

8. Seeber BE, Barnhart KT. Suspected ectopic pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107(2 Pt 1):399-413.

9. Barnhart KT. Clinical practice. Ectopic pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(4):379-87.

10. Perriera L, Reeves MF. Ultrasound Criteria for Diagnosis of Early Pregnancy Failure and Ectopic Pregnancy.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 2008;26(5):373-82.

11. Goldstein SR, Reeves MF. Assessing pregnancy status and gestational age. In: Paul M, Lichtenberg S, Borgatta

L, Grimes D, Stubblefield P, Creinin M, editors. Management of Unintended and Abnormal Pregnancy:

Comprehensive Abortion Care. London: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009.

12. Hakim-Elahi E, Tovell HM, Burnhill MS. Complications of first-trimester abortion: a report of 170,000 cases.

Obstet Gynecol. 1990;76(1):129-35.

National Abortion Federation

9. ABORTION BY DILATION AND EVACUATION

Policy Statement: Abortion by dilation and evacuation (D&E) after 14 weeks from LMP is a

safe outpatient surgical procedure when performed by appropriately trained clinicians in medical

offices, freestanding clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospitals.(1-6)

Standard 1. Pertinent medical history must be obtained and relevant physical examination

must be performed.

Standard 2. Gestational age must be verified by ultrasonography, using a consistent and

published table of fetal measurements, prior to the termination of a pregnancy

clinically estimated to be more than 14 weeks from LMP.

Standard 3. The patient must be appropriately evaluated and prepared for the procedure.

Recommendation 3.1. A pre-procedure hemoglobin or hematocrit should be checked.

Recommendation 3.2. Intravenous access should be established prior to evacuation.

Recommendation 3.3. When feticidal injections are employed, they should be

provided through a standard protocol.(7-14)

Option 3.3.1. Intra-amniotic or intra-fetal injection of digoxin may be

administered either transabdominally or transvaginally to cause

fetal demise.(15-17)

Option 3.3.2. Intracardiac potassium chloride may be used to cause fetal

demise.(14)

Standard 4. When osmotic dilators, misoprostol, and/or other cervical ripening agents are

used, a plan for emergency care prior to the evacuation procedure must be in place

and communicated to the patient.

Standard 5. Appropriate dilation of the cervix must be obtained gently and gradually.(18, 19)

Recommendation 5.1. Osmotic dilators, misoprostol, and/or other cervical ripening

agents should be used to facilitate adequate dilation.

Option 5.1.1. Dilapan and/or misoprostol may be used for same-day cervical

dilation.(20-22)

Standard 6. All instruments entering uterine cavity must be sterile.

Standard 7. Evidence-based practices must be used to lower the risk of complications.

National Abortion Federation

Recommendation 7.1. Intra-procedure ultrasonography should be used to aid in

visualizing instruments, locating fetal parts, verifying an empty

uterus, reducing the risk of uterine perforation, and shortening

the procedure.(23-25)

Recommendation 7.2. Inhaled anesthesia should be avoided if possible due to the

increased risk of hemorrhage.(26, 27)

Standard 8. Uterotonics must be available to aid in control of uterine bleeding.(28)

Recommendation 8.1. Prophylactic vasopressin should be used intracervically or

paracervically to reduce blood loss.(29)

Standard 9. Examination of the uterine contents must be performed to identify the placenta

and all major fetal parts.

Recommendation 9.1. If the above are not identified, ultrasonographic evaluation and

uterine exploration under ultrasound guidance should be

considered.

Recommendation 9.2. The facility and/or clinician should continue care of the patient

until completion of the abortion or transfer of care to an

appropriate provider is made.

Discussion: Clinicians must tailor surgical techniques to suit individual circumstances mindful

of current legal implications and the need to maintain patient safety. As always, it is incumbent

upon each clinician to be aware of the laws pertinent to their clinical practices.

References:

1. American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Practice Bulletin No. 135: Second-Trimester Abortion. Obstet

Gynecol. 2013;121(6):1394-406.

2. Bryant AG, Grimes DA, Garrett JM, Stuart GS. Second-Trimester Abortion for Fetal Anomalies or Fetal

Death: Labor Induction Compared With Dilation and Evacuation. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;117(4):788-92

10.1097/AOG.0b013e31820c3d26.

3. Grimes DA, Schulz KF, Cates W, Jr., Tyler CW, Jr. Mid-trimester abortion by dilatation and evacuation: a

safe and practical alternative. New England Journal of Medicine. 1977;296(20):1141-5.

4. Grimes DA, Cates W, Jr., Tyler CW, Jr. Comparative risk of death from legally induced abortion in hospitals

and nonhospital facilities. Obstet Gynecol. 1978;51(3):323-6.

5. Cates W, Jr., Schulz KF, Grimes DA, Horowitz AJ, Lyon FA, Kravitz FH, et al. Dilatation and evacuation

procedures and second-trimester abortions. The role of physician skill and hospital setting. JAMA.

1982;248(5):559-63.

National Abortion Federation

6. Grimes DA, Schulz KF. Morbidity and mortality from second-trimester abortions. Journal of Reproductive

Medicine. 1985;30(7):505-14.

7. Diedrich J, Drey E, for the Society of Family Planning. Induction of fetal demise before abortion: SFP

Guideline 20101. Contraception. 2010;81(6):462-73.

8. NAF Clinical Practice Bulletin 2: Digoxin Administration. Washington, DC: National Abortion Federation,

2007 Contract No.: 2.

9. Senat MV, Fischer C, Bernard JP, Ville Y. The use of lidocaine for fetocide in late termination of pregnancy.

BJOG. 2003;110(3):296-300.

10. Jackson RA, Teplin VL, Drey EA, Thomas LJ, Darney PD. Digoxin to facilitate late second-trimester

abortion: a randomized, masked, placebo-controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;97(3):471-6.

11. Drey EA, Thomas LJ, Benowitz NL, Goldschlager N, Darney PD. Safety of intra-amniotic digoxin

administration before late second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation. Am J Obstet Gynecol.

2000;182(5):1063-6.

12. Nucatola D, Roth N, Gatter M. A randomized pilot study on the effectiveness and side-effect profiles of two

doses of digoxin as fetocide when administered intraamniotically or intrafetally prior to second-trimester

surgical abortion. Contraception. 2010;81(1):67-74.

13. Molaei M, Jones HE, Weiselberg T, McManama M, Bassell J, Westhoff CL. Effectiveness and safety of

digoxin to induce fetal demise prior to second-trimester abortion. Contraception. 2008;77(3):223-5.

14. Pasquini L, Pontello V, Kumar S. Intracardiac injection of potassium chloride as method for feticide: experience

from a single UK tertiary centre. BJOG. 2008;115(4):528-31.

15. Gariepy AM, Chen BA, Hohmann HL, Achilles SL, Russo JA, Creinin MD. Transvaginal administration of

intraamniotic digoxin prior to dilation and evacuation. Contraception. 2013;87(1):76-80.

16. Tocce K, Sheeder J, Edwards LJ, Teal S. Effectiveness and safety of transcervical administration of digoxin to

induce fetal demise prior to second-trimester abortion. Contraception. 2011;84(3):311.

17. Dean G, Colarossi L, Lunde B, Jacobs AR, Porsch LM, Paul ME. Safety of digoxin for fetal demise before

second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation. Contraception. 2012;85(2):144-9.

18. Newmann S, Dalve-Endres A, Drey EA. Cervical preparation for surgical abortion from 20 to 24 weeks'

gestation: SFP Guideline 20073. Contraception. 2008;77(4):308-14.

19. Autry AM, Hayes EC, Jacobson GF, Kirby RS. A comparison of medical induction and dilation and

evacuation for second-trimester abortion. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2002;187(2):393-7.

20. Maurer KA, Jacobson JC, Turok DK. Same-day cervical preparation with misoprostol prior to second trimester

D&E: a case series. Contraception. 2013;88(1):116-21.

21. Goldberg AB, Drey EA, Whitaker AK, Kang MS, Meckstroth KR, Darney PD. Misoprostol compared with

laminaria before early second-trimester surgical abortion: a randomized trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;106(2):234-

41.

National Abortion Federation

22. Lyus R, Lohr PA, Taylor J, Morroni C. Outcomes with same-day cervical preparation with Dilapan-S osmotic

dilators and vaginal misoprostol before dilatation and evacuation at 18 to 21+6 weeks’ gestation. Contraception.

2013;87(1):71-5.

23. World Health Organization. Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems. 2nd ed. Geneva

2012.

24. Darney PD, Sweet RL. Routine intraoperative ultrasonography for second trimester abortion reduces incidence

of uterine perforation. J Ultrasound Med. 1989;8(2):71-5.

25. Darney PD, Atkinson E, Hirabayashi K. Uterine perforation during second-trimester abortion by cervical

dilation and instrumental extraction: a review of 15 cases. Obstet Gynecol. 1990;75(3 Pt 1):441-4.

26. MacKay HT, Schulz KF, Grimes DA. Safety of local versus general anesthesia for second-trimester dilatation

and evacuation abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 1985. p. 661-5.

27. Kumarasinghe N, Harpin R, Stewart AW. Blood loss during suction termination of pregnancy with two

different anaesthetic techniques. Anaesth Intensive Care. 1997;25(1):48-50.

28. Kerns J, Steinauer J. Management of postabortion hemorrhage: SFP Guideline 20131. Contraception.

2013;87(3):331-42.

29. Schulz KF, Grimes DA, Christensen DD. Vasopressin reduces blood loss from second-trimester dilatation and

evacuation abortion. Lancet. 1985;2(8451):353-6.

National Abortion Federation

10. SECOND-TRIMESTER INDUCTION ABORTION

Policy Statement: Medical induction abortion is a safe and effective method for termination of

pregnancies beyond the first trimester when performed by trained clinicians in medical offices,

freestanding clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospitals.

Standard 1. Pertinent medical history must be obtained and relevant physical examination

must be performed.

Standard 2. Gestational age must be verified by ultrasonography, using a consistent and

published table of fetal measurements, prior to the termination of a pregnancy

clinically estimated to be more than 14 weeks from LMP.

Standard 3. The patient must be appropriately evaluated and prepared for the procedure.

Recommendation 3.1. A pre-procedure hemoglobin or hematocrit should be checked.

Recommendation 3.2. Intravenous access should be established prior to induction.

Recommendation 3.3. When feticidal injections are employed, they should be

provided through a standard protocol.(1-7)

Option 3.3.1. Intra-amniotic or intra-fetal injection of digoxin may be

administered either transabdominally or transvaginally to cause

fetal demise.(8-10)

Option 3.3.2. Intracardiac potassium chloride may be used to cause fetal

demise.(7)

Standard 4. Evidence-based regimens of medical induction must be used.

Recommendation 4.1. Mifepristone 200 mg followed by misoprostol should be used,

when available and feasible.(11-14)

Option 4.1.1. Misoprostol may also be used alone.(15)

Option 4.1.2. The initial dose of misoprostol may be more effective if

administered vaginally,(15) particularly in nulliparous

women.(16)

Option 4.1.3. Subsequent doses of 400 mcg misoprostol may be most

effective when given every three to four hours and are equally

effective by vaginal, buccal, or sublingual routes.(15)

Option 4.1.4. Oxytocin may be used as an adjunctive agent to induce labor or

alone when misoprostol is contraindicated.

National Abortion Federation

Recommendation 4.2. Osmotic dilators should not be used as they do not shorten the

induction time but increase pain.(12, 17-19)

Recommendation 4.3. Intraamniotic injection or instillation methods should be

avoided as they are less effective and result in more

complications than mifepristone-misoprstol or misoprostol-

alone regimens.(20)

Standard 5. Once regular contractions have been confirmed, patients must be observed by

health care staff trained to monitor contractions and expulsion, and who can

recognize emergent situations.

Standard 6. A trained clinician must be available from initiation of induction until post-

abortion discharge.

Standard 7. Access to surgical management or appropriate referral must be available in the

event that surgical intervention is required.

Standard 8. Uterotonics must be available to aid in control of uterine bleeding.

Standard 9. Examination of the uterine contents must be performed to identify the placenta

and all major fetal parts.

Recommendation 9.1. If the above are not identified, ultrasonographic evaluation and

(repeat) uterine exploration under ultrasound guidance should

be considered.

Recommendation 9.2. The facility and/or clinician should continue care of the patient

until completion of the abortion or transfer of care to an

appropriate provider is made.

Discussion: Numerous studies have found that the use of misoprostol does not increase the risk

of uterine rupture in a previously scarred uterus in the second trimester compared to other

induction agents, even with three or more prior Cesarean deliveries.(21) The risk of uterine

rupture during second-trimester induction in women with a scarred uterus is roughly 0.3%, and

is not higher than among women without a prior Cesarean delivery.(22)

Clinicians must tailor surgical techniques to suit individual circumstances mindful of current

legal implications and the need to maintain patient safety. As always, it is incumbent upon each

clinician to be aware of the laws pertinent to their clinical practices.

National Abortion Federation

References:

1. NAF Clinical Practice Bulletin 2: Digoxin Administration. Washington, DC: National Abortion Federation,

2007 Contract No.: 2.

2. Diedrich J, Drey E, for the Society of Family Planning. Induction of fetal demise before abortion: SFP

Guideline 20101. Contraception. 2010;81(6):462-73.

3. Jackson RA, Teplin VL, Drey EA, Thomas LJ, Darney PD. Digoxin to facilitate late second-trimester

abortion: a randomized, masked, placebo-controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;97(3):471-6.

4. Drey EA, Thomas LJ, Benowitz NL, Goldschlager N, Darney PD. Safety of intra-amniotic digoxin

administration before late second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation. Am J Obstet Gynecol.

2000;182(5):1063-6.

5. Nucatola D, Roth N, Gatter M. A randomized pilot study on the effectiveness and side-effect profiles of two

doses of digoxin as fetocide when administered intraamniotically or intrafetally prior to second-trimester

surgical abortion. Contraception. 2010;81(1):67-74.

6. Molaei M, Jones HE, Weiselberg T, McManama M, Bassell J, Westhoff CL. Effectiveness and safety of

digoxin to induce fetal demise prior to second-trimester abortion. Contraception. 2008;77(3):223-5.

7. Pasquini L, Pontello V, Kumar S. Intracardiac injection of potassium chloride as method for feticide: experience

from a single UK tertiary centre. BJOG. 2008;115(4):528-31.

8. Gariepy AM, Chen BA, Hohmann HL, Achilles SL, Russo JA, Creinin MD. Transvaginal administration of

intraamniotic digoxin prior to dilation and evacuation. Contraception. 2013;87(1):76-80.

9. Tocce K, Sheeder J, Edwards LJ, Teal S. Effectiveness and safety of transcervical administration of digoxin to

induce fetal demise prior to second-trimester abortion. Contraception. 2011;84(3):311.

10. Dean G, Colarossi L, Lunde B, Jacobs AR, Porsch LM, Paul ME. Safety of digoxin for fetal demise before

second-trimester abortion by dilation and evacuation. Contraception. 2012;85(2):144-9.

11. World Health Organization. Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems. 2nd ed. Geneva

2012.

12. Borgatta L, Kapp N. Labor induction abortion in the second trimester: SFP Guideline 20111. Contraception.

2011;84(1):4-18.

13. Ngoc NT, Shochet T, Raghavan S, Blum J, Nga NT, Minh NT, et al. Mifepristone and misoprostol compared

with misoprostol alone for second-trimester abortion: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol.

2011;118(3):601-8.

14. Nilas L, Glavind-Kristensen M, Vejborg T, Knudsen UB. One or two day mifepristone-misoprostol interval for

second trimester abortion. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(9):1117-21.

15. Wildschut H, Both MI, Medema S, Thomee E, Wildhagen MF, Kapp N. Medical methods for mid-trimester

termination of pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011(1):CD005216.

16. von Hertzen H, Piaggio G, Wojdyla D, Nguyen TM, Marions L, Okoev G, et al. Comparison of vaginal and

sublingual misoprostol for second trimester abortion: randomized controlled equivalence trial. Hum Reprod.

2009;24(1):106-12.

National Abortion Federation

17. Borgatta L, Chen AY, Vragovic O, Stubblefield PG, Magloire CA. A randomized clinical trial of the addition

of laminaria to misoprostol and hypertonic saline for second-trimester induction abortion. Contraception.

2005;72(5):358-61.

18. Jain JK, Mishell JDR. A comparison of misoprostol with and without laminaria tents for induction of second-

trimester abortion. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1996;175(1):173-7.

19. Prairie BA, Lauria MR, Kapp N, Mackenzie T, Baker ER, George KE. Mifepristone versus laminaria: a

randomized controlled trial of cervical ripening in midtrimester termination. Contraception. 2007;76(5):383-8.

20. Hou S-P, Fang A-H, Chen Q-F, Huang Y-M, Chen O-j, Cheng L-N. Termination of second-trimester

pregnancy by mifepristone combined with misoprostol versus intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate

(Rivanol®): a systematic review of Chinese trials. Contraception. 2011;84(3):214-23.

21. Fawzy M, Abdel-Hady E-S. Midtrimester abortion using vaginal misoprostol for women with three or more

prior cesarean deliveries. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2010;110(1):50-2.

22. Goyal V. Uterine Rupture in Second-Trimester Misoprostol-Induced Abortion After Cesarean Delivery: A

Systematic Review. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;113(5):1117-23.

National Abortion Federation

11. ANALGESIA AND SEDATION

Policy Statement: Anxiolysis, analgesia, or anesthesia should be provided during abortion

procedures for any patient for whom the benefits outweigh the risks, with the aim of providing

the appropriate level of analgesia and sedation required for each patient’s needs. Patients should

be involved in a shared decision-making process about pain control and sedation during the

procedure.(1-14)

ON THE USE OF SEDATION IN GENERAL - All medications used in procedural sedation

have the potential for serious risk. This risk may be reduced to a minimum by adherence to

established practice guidelines. Guidelines developed by other organizations concern themselves

with anesthesia and sedation delivered primarily in hospital settings and to patients varying

widely in age and general health. Regardless of the drug or route of administration, the degree of

central nervous system (CNS) depression is the basis for the NAF guidelines.

These guidelines do not address the use of deep sedation or general anesthesia except to identify

basic monitoring practices and appropriate providers of such care, who are expected to follow

their professional standards in the delivery of anesthesia services. It is expected that those

individuals providing deep sedation or general anesthesia will have appropriate emergency

medication and equipment in place to ensure the safe care of a patient in the event of an

anesthesia complication.

The promulgation of guidelines for the delivery and monitoring of anesthesia care issued by

organizations such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)(15), the Canadian

Anesthesiologists’ Society (CSA)(16), the American Dental Society of Anesthesiologists

(ADSA), American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopists, and others have clarified many of

the issues related to anesthesia care.

Patient comfort and reduced anxiety are significantly affected by patient counseling and by the

presence of family, friends, and supportive staff, and are not solely dependent on pharmacologic

measures. Alternative modalities (such as relaxation techniques, acupuncture, hypnosis) may be

helpful for some patients. The focus of NAF guidelines for analgesia and sedation, however, is

on the safe provision of pharmacologic methods generally used in outpatient abortion facilities.

Definitions

1. Local Anesthesia - Elimination or reduction of sensation, especially pain, in one part of

the body by topical application or local injection of a drug. In the context of abortion

practice, local anesthesia almost always involves a paracervical block.



Based on Continuum of Depth Sedation: Definition of General Anesthesia and levels of Sedation/Anesthesia, 2009, of the

American Society of Anesthesiologists. A copy of the full text can be obtained from ASA; 520 N. Northwest Highway;

Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-2573.

National Abortion Federation

2. Minimal Sedation (Anxiolysis) - is a drug-induced state during which patients respond

normally to verbal commands. Although cognitive function and physical coordination

may be impaired, airway reflexes, ventilatory, and cardiovascular functions are unaffected.

3. Moderate Sedation/Analgesia - is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during

which patients respond purposefully

†

to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied

by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway,

and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained

but

may be impaired. This level of sedation was previously referred to as “Conscious

Sedation”. However this term is no longer recommended.

4. Deep Sedation/Analgesia - is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which

patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful

stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired.

Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous

ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained but

may be

impaired.

5. General Anesthesia - is a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are

not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain

ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a

patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed

spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function.

Cardiovascular function may be impaired.

Because sedation is a continuum, it is not always possible to predict how an individual patient

will respond. Hence, practitioners intending to produce any level of sedation should be able to

rescue patients whose level of sedation becomes deeper than initially intended. Rescue corrects

adverse physiologic consequences of the deeper-than-intended level of sedation (such as

hypoventilation, hypoxia, and hypotension) and returns the patient to the originally intended

level of sedation.

Standard 1. When minimal, moderate, deep sedation, or general anesthesia is to be given,

patients must be given information about the risks, benefits, and side effects of

the medications to be used.

Recommendation 1.1. Documentation should include precautions relevant to

transient mental impairment.

Option 1.1.1. An informed consent form specific for analgesia and sedation

may be used.



†

Reflex withdrawal from a painful stimulus is NOT considered a purposeful response.

National Abortion Federation

Standard 2. Prior to moderate sedation, a pre-sedation evaluation of the patient must take

place.

Recommendation 2.1. Evaluation should include a relevant history and review of

systems; medication review; targeted exam of the heart, lung,

and airway; baseline vital signs; and last food intake.

Recommendation 2.2. A reduced level of sedation, an alternate abortion procedure, or

provision of care by an anesthesia professional should be

considered for patients with an atypical airway assessment or

ASA P-3 or greater (see ASA “Physical Status Definition” in

this document).

Standard 3. No additional evaluation is needed prior to paracervical block and/or NSAID

administration.

Standard 4. The supervising practitioner must be immediately available when sedation is

administered.

Standard 5. When local anesthesia or sedation is provided, the practitioner responsible for the

treatment of the patient and/or the administration of drugs must be appropriately

trained.

Recommendation 5.1. Moderate sedation proficiency should include the following:

appropriate licensure, basic airway skills, the ability to monitor

and effectively rescue patients in an emergency, the ability to

screen patients appropriately for sedation, and documented

pharmacology knowledge for both sedation medications and

their reversal agents, if applicable.

Standard 6. The potential need for intravenous access must be considered prior to

administering any level of sedation.

Recommendation 6.1. When more than minimal sedation is intended, intravenous

access should be maintained.

Standard 7. Pulse oximetry, with appropriate alarms, must be employed when moderate or

deeper levels of sedation are used.

Standard 8. When sedation is provided, monitoring must be adequate to detect the

respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological effects of the drugs being

administered, and this monitoring must be documented.

Recommendation 8.1. The patient should be checked frequently for verbal

responsiveness.

National Abortion Federation

Recommendation 8.2. Monitoring for deep sedation and general anesthesia should be

supplemented by continuous pulse monitoring or

electrocardiography and monitoring of respiration, such as

measuring end-tidal CO

Standard 9. Supplemental oxygen must be used with deep sedation and general anesthesia.

Standard 10. When moderate sedation or deeper is provided, a person other than the clinician

performing the procedure, and who is trained to monitor appropriate

physiological parameters, must be present. This person must not be performing

duties other than monitoring the patient.

Standard 11. The practitioner administering deep sedation or general anesthesia must not be

the practitioner performing the abortion.

Standard 12. Any individual responsible for administering, supervising, or monitoring a patient

receiving any level of sedation must have current, health care provider level basic

life support (BLS) certification.

Standard 13. When moderate sedation is administered, there should be at least one individual

with documented airway skills in the procedure room.

Standard 14. The practitioner administering deep sedation or general anesthesia must adhere

to established professional standards of care.

Standard 15. N

O must be self-administered by the patient or by a qualified anesthesia

provider.

Standard 16. The provision of N

O must follow guidelines for patient monitoring for moderate

sedation.

Standard 17. Equipment for the delivery of N

O/O

must:

(a) provide a concentration of N

O of no more than 70% inspired;

(b) provide a minimum of 30% O

; and

Recommendation 17.1.

The concentration of nitrous oxide should not routinely exceed

50% in the absence of qualified anesthesia personnel.

Recommendation 17.2. Equipment for the delivery of N

O/O

should include an

oxygen analyzer.

Recommendation 17.3.

Due to the potential for occupational exposure, room or

personnel monitoring for levels of N

0 should be conducted.

National Abortion Federation

Standard 18. Functioning equipment and current medications must be available on-site to

handle medical emergencies and must include: an oxygen delivery system, oral

airways, epinephrine, and antihistamines.

Standard 19. In settings where benzodiazepines and opioids are used, appropriate antagonists,

bronchodilators, and bag-valve masks capable of delivering supplemental oxygen

must be available.

Recommendation 19.1. Facilities should have a specified area for emergency equipment

which includes oxygen, medications, and supplies. A protocol

and time schedule for checking equipment and removing

expired medications must be in place.

Recommendation 19.2. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) should be available.

Standard 20. In settings where deep sedation and general anesthesia are used, it is expected that

providers maintain the appropriate medication and equipment required for an

anesthesia emergency.

DISCUSSION: ON THE USE OF N

O/O

- Nitrous oxide has a long history of use for

analgesia and sedation, as well as an excellent safety record in the hands of both anesthesiologists

and non-anesthesiologists. Occupational exposure to N

O has been associated with increased

risks of neurologic impairment, spontaneous abortion, subfertility, and hepatic and renal disease.

Recommendations for safe use of nitrous oxide can be found in the reference section. In addition

to employing adequate ventilation and scavenger systems, it is also recommended to deliver 100%

oxygen to the patient for five minutes before removing the mask. This will purge the system, and

the patient, of any residual nitrous oxide. Occupational exposure can be monitored by asking

staff members to wear personal dosimetry badges or by placing an infrared spectrophotometer in

the room. Although there is no OSHA standard for N

O, NIOSH recommends that airborne

levels of N

O be kept below 25 ppm (1995) through well-designed scavenger systems and other

engineering controls, equipment maintenance, exposure monitoring, and safe work practices.

National Abortion Federation

American Society of Anesthesiologists

Continuum of Depths of Sedation:

DEFINITION OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA AND LEVELS OF

EDATION/ANALGESIA

‡

Committee of Origin: Quality Management and Departmental Administration

(Approved by the ASA on October 27, 2004, and amended on October 21, 2009)

Minimal

Sedation/

Anxiolysis

Moderate

Sedation/

Analgesia

“Conscious

Sedation”

Deep

Sedation/

Analgesia

General

Anesthesia

Responsiveness

Normal

response

to verbal

stimulation

Purposeful

response to

verbal or

tactile

stimulation

Purposeful

response

following

repeated or

painful

stimulation

Unarousable

even with

painful

stimulus

Airway Unaffected

No intervention

required

Intervention

may be

required

Intervention

often

required

Spontaneous

Ventilation

Unaffected Adequate

May be

inadequate

Frequently

inadequate

Cardiovascular

Function

Unaffected

Usually

maintained

Usually

maintained

May be

impaired



‡

Excerpted from Continuum of Depth of Sedation, Definitions of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia.

2009, reprinted with the permission of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. A copy of the full text can be

obtained from ASA; 520 N. Northwest Highway; Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-2573.

Reflex withdrawal from a painful stimulus is NOT considered a purposeful response.

National Abortion Federation

American Society of Anesthesiologists

Physical Status Definition**

The following represents the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification and should be

used in evaluation of patients.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHYSICAL STATUS

P-1 - A normal healthy patient.

P-2 - A patient with mild systemic disease.

P-3 - A patient with severe systemic disease.

P-4 - A patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life.

P-5 - A moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation.

P-6 - A declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes.



ASA Relative Value Guide. 2012. Reprinted with permission of the American Society of Anesthesiologists; 520 N.

Northwest Highway; Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-2573.

National Abortion Federation

References:

1. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Continuum of Depth of Sedation, Definitions of General Anesthesia

and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia. 2009:1-2.

2. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Guidelines for Ambulatory Anesthesia and Surgery. 2008.

3. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring. 2011:1-3.

4. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Physical Status Classification System. Available from:

https://www.asahq.org/For-Members/Clinical-Information/ASA-Physical-Status-Classification-System.aspx.

5. Atrash HK, Cheek TG, Hogue CJ. Legal abortion mortality and general anesthesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol.

1988;158(2):420-4.

6. Bell GD, McCloy RF, Charlton JE, Campbell D, Dent NA, Gear MW, et al. Recommendations for standards

of sedation and patient monitoring during gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gut. 1991;32(7):823-7.

7. Dodson SR, Hensley FA, Jr., Martin DE, Larach DR, Morris DL. Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring

during cardiac catheterization in adults. Chest. 1988;94(1):28-31.

8. Eichhorn JH, Cooper JB, Cullen DJ, Maier WR, Philip JH, Seeman RG. Standards for patient monitoring

during anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. JAMA. 1986;256(8):1017-20.

9. Holzman RS, Cullen DJ, Eichhorn JH, Philip JH. Guidelines for sedation by nonanesthesiologists during

diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The Risk Management Committee of the Department of Anaesthesia of

Harvard Medical School. J Clin Anesth. 1994;6(4):265-76.

10. Lavies NG, Creasy T, Harris K, Hanning CD. Arterial oxygen saturation during upper gastrointestinal

endoscopy: influence of sedation and operator experience. Am J Gastroenterol. 1988;83(6):618-22.

11. Morlote EB, Zweng TN, Strodel WE. Hemodynamic monitoring and pulse oximetry during percutaneous

gastrostomy and jejunostomy: necessity or nuisance? Surg Endosc. 1991;5(3):130-4.

12. Raemer DB, Warren DL, Morris R, Philip BK, Philip JH. Hypoxemia during ambulatory gynecologic surgery

as evaluated by the pulse oximeter. J Clin Monit. 1987;3(4):244-8.

13. Singer R, Thomas PE. Pulse oximeter in the ambulatory aesthetic surgical facility. Plast Reconstr Surg.

1988;82(1):111-5.

14. Rosenberg MB, Campbell RL. Guidelines for intraoperative monitoring of dental patients undergoing

conscious sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1991;71(1):2-8.

15. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Practice guidelines for sedation and analgesia by non-anesthesiologists.

Anesthesiology. 2002;96(4):1004-17.

16. Merchant R, Chartrand D, Dain S, Dobson G, Kurrek M, Lagace A, et al. Guidelines to the practice of

anesthesia revised edition 2013. Can J Anaesth. 2013;60(1):60-84.

National Abortion Federation

12. USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN ABORTION

Policy Statement: Prevention and treatment of infection will reduce post-abortion morbidity.

Standard 1. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis must be used for surgical abortion.

Recommendation 1.1. All women having surgical abortions should receive antibiotics

pre-procedure.(1-3)

Option 1.1.1. For surgical abortions, antibiotics can be given post-procedure

when giving antibiotics pre-procedure is not feasible.(4)

Option 1.1.2. Antibiotics may be initiated at the time of insertion of osmotic

dilators.

Option 1.1.3. Antibiotics may be given to women choosing medical

abortion.(5) Insufficient evidence exists to support routine

antibiotic prophylaxis for medical abortion.

Recommendation 1.2. Women at high risk for Chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other

sexually transmitted infections should be offered testing.(6)

Option 1.2.1. Empiric treatment of Chlamydia may be considered for

patients at high risk for pre-existing infection.

Standard 2. Diagnosed infection must be appropriately treated.

Recommendation 2.1. For documented infections of the reproductive tract, evidence-

based regimens should be followed.(6)

Discussion: The literature supports universal antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical abortion.(7)

Only one large cohort analysis addresses the use of antibiotics in medical abortion.(5, 8)

References:

1. Achilles SL, Reeves MF. Prevention of infection after induced abortion: SFP Guideline 20102. Contraception.

2011;83(4):295-309.

2. Levallois P, Rioux JE. Prophylactic antibiotics for suction curettage abortion: results of a clinical controlled

trial. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1988;158(1):100-5.

3. Darj E, Stralin EB, Nilsson S. The prophylactic effect of doxycycline on postoperative infection rate after first-

trimester abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 1987;70(5):755-8.

National Abortion Federation

4. Lichtenberg ES, Shott S. A randomized clinical trial of prophylaxis for vacuum abortion: 3 versus 7 days of

doxycycline. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;101(4):726-31.

5. Fjerstad M, Trussell J, Sivin I, Lichtenberg ES, Cullins V. Rates of Serious Infection after Changes in

Regimens for Medical Abortion. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361(2):145-51.

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006.

Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report Recommendations & Reports. 2006;55(RR-11):1-94.

7. Sawaya GF, Grady D, Kerlikowske K, Grimes DA. Antibiotics at the time of induced abortion: the case for

universal prophylaxis based on a meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87(5 Pt 2):884-90.

8. Fjerstad M, Trussell J, Lichtenberg ES, Sivin I, Cullins V. Severity of infection following the introduction of

new infection control measures for medical abortion. Contraception. 2011;83(4):330-5.

National Abortion Federation

13. COMPLICATIONS: BLEEDING

Policy Statement: One of the most serious immediate complications of an abortion procedure is

hemorrhage. Early recognition of the source of bleeding can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Standard 1. All facilities must have a protocol for the management of acute hemorrhage.(1)

Standard 2. The following items must be included in the protocol:

(1) Establishment of intravenous access;

(2) Administration of uterotonics;

(3) Evaluation of the cause and/or source of bleeding;

(4) Defined staff roles;

(5) Emergency supplies that will be readily available; and

(6) Methods for conducting a hospital transfer, if the bleeding does not respond

to therapeutic measures or if the patient is hemodynamically unstable.

Recommendation 2.2. The following items should be considered:

(1) Ultrasonography to determine whether the uterus is empty.

(2) When atony is suspected, uterine massage and uterotonics may be

useful.

(3) When coagulopathy is suspected, blood may be drawn for

coagulation parameters and transfusion of blood or blood products

may be necessary.

(4) Appropriate disclosure of events to the patient.

Standard 3. The facility must have at least two uterotonics and/or mechanical methods of

controlling bleeding.

Discussion: Excessive bleeding during the procedure and in the post-procedure period is almost

always due to uterine atony, often caused by incomplete emptying of the uterus. Therefore, the

most important initial efforts should be directed at assuring complete evacuation of the uterus

and at increasing uterine tone through uterotonics.

Problems arise when bleeding is ignored or its severity underestimated. Clinicians must always

remember to do the simple things when confronted with a developing bleeding problem:

continue assessment of the blood loss, measure and record blood pressure and pulse frequently,

and assure intravenous access.

National Abortion Federation

Post-procedure, the following measures may be used for treatment of post-abortion hemorrhage:

a. methergine;

b. oxytocin;

c. misoprostol;

d. carboprost tromethamine (Hemabate); or

e. intrauterine pressure using a Foley or Bakri balloon or vaginal pack.

When bleeding continues after assurance of complete uterine emptying and when there are no

visible cervical or vaginal lacerations, the clinician must consider other complications such as

perforation, coagulopathy, or placenta accreta.

References:

1. Kerns J, Steinauer J. Management of postabortion hemorrhage: SFP Guideline 20131. Contraception.

2013;87(3):331-42.

National Abortion Federation

14. COMPLICATIONS: PERFORATION

Policy Statement: Uterine perforation is a complication of abortion that can lead to significant

morbidity. Morbidity is related to site of perforation, instrumentation, and gestational age.

Standard 1. If, in the clinician's judgment, an instrument passes farther than expected, then

uterine perforation must be considered.

Standard 2. If a perforation occurs, even if the patient is asymptomatic, close observation and

follow-up must be done, according to the facility’s established protocol.

Recommendation 2.1.

The following interventions should be considered.

Option 2.1.1. Antibiotic coverage may be instituted.

Option 2.1.2. Uterotonics may be administered.

Option 2.1.3. The patient may be transferred to a hospital.

Recommendation 2.2. If a perforation occurs and the pregnancy has been disrupted,

the abortion procedure should be completed as soon as feasible.

Option 2.2.1. If a perforation occurs and the pregnancy has not been disrupted,

the procedure may be completed immediately, after a delay, or

by referral to another provider.

Option 2.2.2. The uterine evacuation may be completed under direct

ultrasound guidance or laparoscopic visualization.(1, 2)

Standard 3. The patient must be hospitalized for definitive care if:

(a) intra-abdominal viscera are detected in the uterine cavity, cervix, vagina,

suction tubing, or on tissue examination;

(b) fetal parts are detected in the abdominal cavity;

(d) hemodynamic instability is present.

Discussion: Perforations are often occult and may be difficult to identify.(3-5) If a perforation is

suspected, it is safest to proceed as if there has been a perforation.

In the first trimester, perforations are often asymptomatic and self-healing.(6, 7) Most

perforations are midline and/or fundal in location.(8) If they occur before suction, these usually

National Abortion Federation

can be managed with observation and close follow-up.(7) A lateral perforation may involve

uterine blood vessels and, if so, will be more significant.

In the second trimester, even an asymptomatic perforation may warrant transfer to a hospital for

evaluation depending on the instrumentation involved.(9, 10) There may be more significant

morbidity due to increased uterine blood flow, a thinner myometrium, and the damage possible

with the use of larger grasping instruments.

References:

1. Kohlenberg CF, Casper GR. The use of intraoperative ultrasound in the management of a perforated uterus

with retained products of conception. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1996;36(4):482-4.

2. Lauersen NH, Birnbaum S. Laparoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic technique in uterine perforations

during first-trimester abortions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1973;117(4):522-6.

3. Amarin ZO, Badria LF. A survey of uterine perforation following dilatation and curettage or evacuation of

retained products of conception. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2005;271(3):203-6.

4. Berek JS, Stubblefield PG. Anatomic and clinical correlates of uterine perforation. Am J Obstet Gynecol.

1979;135(2):181-4.

5. Grimes DA, Schulz KF, Cates WJ, Jr. Prevention of uterine perforation during curettage abortion. JAMA.

1984;251(16):2108-11.

6. Kaali SG, Szigetvari IA, Bartfai GS. The frequency and management of uterine perforations during first-

trimester abortions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1989;161(2):406-8.

7. Lindell G, Flam F. Management of uterine perforations in connection with legal abortions. Acta Obstet

Gynecol Scand. 1995;74(5):373-5.

8. Mittal S, Misra SL. Uterine perforation following medical termination of pregnancy by vacuum aspiration. Int J

Gynaecol Obstet. 1985;23(1):45-50.

9. Darney PD, Atkinson E, Hirabayashi K. Uterine perforation during second-trimester abortion by cervical

dilation and instrumental extraction: a review of 15 cases. Obstet Gynecol. 1990;75(3 Pt 1):441-4.

10. Pridmore BR, Chambers DG. Uterine perforation during surgical abortion: a review of diagnosis, management

and prevention. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1999;39(3):349-53.

National Abortion Federation

15. POST-PROCEDURE CARE

Policy Statement: Appropriate and accessible post-procedure and follow-up care is essential to

patients' wellbeing.

Standard 1. All patients must be continuously observed during the recovery period by a health

care worker trained in post-procedure care.

Standard 2. Patients who received sedation or exhibit signs of instability should remain in the

care of an appropriately trained individual until no longer at risk for

hemodynamic instability or respiratory depression.

Standard 3. A clinician must remain in the facility until all patients are medically stable.

Standard 4. The following criteria must be documented prior to discharge: the patient must be

ambulatory with a stable blood pressure and pulse, and bleeding and pain must be

controlled.

Standard 5. The patient must be given oral and written instructions outlining what to expect

post-procedure, self-care, and signs and symptoms of complications.

Recommendation 5.1. Patients who receive sedation should have access to this

information prior to the administration of medication.

Standard 6. The facility must provide an emergency contact service on a 24-hour basis, where

calls are triaged in accordance with written policies. A recorded message alone is

unacceptable.

Standard 7. Any non-clinician involved with first-call triage must be trained to take a post-

abortion health history and follow clear written guidelines indicating when

immediate consultation with a clinician is indicated.

Standard 8. Any patient who gives a history suggestive of a post-procedure complication must

have access to a clinician. The facility must establish a pathway for physician

referral if indicated.

National Abortion Federation

16. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Policy Statement: Appropriate management of abortion emergencies reduces morbidity and

mortality.

Standard 1. When abortion procedures are being performed, at least one medical staff

member with health care provider level basic life support (BLS) training must be

present.

Recommendation 1.1.

All medical staff providing direct patient care should have

current health care provider level BLS certification

Standard 2. Protocols for the management of medical emergencies must be in place. These

protocols must include indications for emergency transport and written, readily

available directions for contacting external emergency assistance (e.g., an

ambulance).

Recommendation 2.1. Protocols to address the following topics should be in place:

bleeding, perforation, respiratory arrest/depression,

anaphylaxis, and emergency transfer.

Recommendation 2.2. Protocols should be reviewed annually by staff.

Recommendation 2.3. All staff should know their appropriate roles in the

management of medical emergencies.

Option 2.3.1. Annual drills of the emergency protocols are encouraged.

Recommendation 2.4. Clinics should consider developing a transfer agreement with a

hospital outlining the means of communication and transport

and the protocol for emergent transfer of care.

National Abortion Federation

17. EVALUATION OF EVACUATED UTERINE CONTENTS

Policy Statement: Identification of appropriate products of conception following evacuation

abortion procedures confirms termination of an intrauterine pregnancy.

Standard 1. Termination of pregnancy must be confirmed prior to the woman leaving the

facility or further evaluation must be initiated.

Recommendation 1.1. Evacuated uterine contents should be examined before the

woman leaves the facility.

Recommendation 1.2. In first-trimester terminations, flotation of tissue with

backlighting should be used to identify products of conception,

including gestational sac.

Option 1.2.1. Sending the evacuated uterine contents for additional

pathological examination is not required.(1)

Standard 2. When insufficient tissue or incomplete products of conception are obtained, the

patient must be re-evaluated.

Recommendation 2.1. Re-aspiration, serial quantitative hCG, and/or

ultrasonographic examination should be considered.

Standard 3. If insufficient tissue is present after adequate patient evaluation, ectopic pregnancy

must be considered, and the patient must be informed of symptoms and dangers

of ectopic pregnancy.

Recommendation 3.1. If the uterine cavity is determined to be empty, serial

quantitative hCG tests should be measured.(2-4)

Discussion: One option for additional evaluation if sufficient POC are not identified is the use

of serum quantitative hCG tests. A baseline hCG can be drawn and a second hCG can be done

in 24-48 hours. If there is a decrease of 50% or more, no further ectopic follow up is necessary.

Otherwise, further evaluation should be initiated including consideration of ectopic pregnancy.

References:

1. Paul M, Lackie E, Mitchell C, Rogers A, Fox M. Is pathology examination useful after early surgical abortion?

Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99(4):567-71.

2. Barnhart K, Sammel MD, Chung K, Zhou L, Hummel AC, Guo W. Decline of serum human chorionic

gonadotropin and spontaneous complete abortion: defining the normal curve. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104(5 Pt

1):975-81.

National Abortion Federation

3. van der Lugt B, Drogendijk A. The disappearance of human chorionic gonadotropin from plasma and urine

following induced abortion. Disappearance of HCG after induced abortion. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.

1985;64(7):547-52.

4. Steier JA, Bergsjø P, Myking OL. Human chorionic gonadotropin in maternal plasma after induced abortion,

spontaneous abortion, and removed ectopic pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1984;64(3):391-4.

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