Consensus Guidelines for Facilities Performing Outpatient Procedures: Evidence Over Ideology : Obstetrics & Gynecology

Secondary Logo

Journal Logo

Contents: Health Services Research: Current Commentary

Consensus Guidelines for Facilities Performing Outpatient Procedures

Evidence Over Ideology

Levy, Barbara S. MD; Ness, Debra L. MS; Weinberger, Steven E. MD

Author Information
Obstetrics & Gynecology 133(2):p 255-260, February 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003058

In policy and law, regulation of abortion is frequently treated differently from other health services. The safety of abortion is similar to that of other types of office- and clinic-based procedures, and facility requirements should be based on assuring high-quality, safe performance of all such procedures. False concerns for patient safety are being used as a justification for promoting regulations that specifically target abortion. The Project on Facility Guidelines for the Safe Performance of Primary Care and Gynecology Procedures in Offices and Clinics was undertaken by clinicians, consumers, and representatives from accrediting bodies to review the available evidence and guidelines that inform safe delivery of outpatient care. Our overall objective was to develop evidence-informed consensus guidelines to promote health care quality, safety, and accessibility. Our consensus determined that requiring facilities performing office-based procedures, including abortion, to meet standards beyond those currently in effect for all general medical offices and clinics is unjustified based on an analysis of available evidence. No safety concerns were identified.

© 2019 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Full Text Access for Subscribers:

You can read the full text of this article if you:

Access through Ovid