59A-9.027. Recovery Room Standards for Second Trimester Abortions

Each abortion clinic which is providing second trimester abortions shall comply with the following recovery room standards when providing second trimester abortions.

(1) Following the procedure, post-procedure recovery rooms will be supervised and staffed to meet the patient’s needs. A physician or physician assistant, a licensed registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse or an advanced registered nurse practitioner who is trained in the management of the recovery area shall be available to monitor the patient in the recovery room until the patient is discharged. The individual must be certified in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A patient in the post-operative or recovery room shall be observed for as long as the patient’s condition warrants.

(2) The clinic shall arrange hospitalization if any complication beyond the medical capability of the staff occurs or is suspected. The clinic shall ensure that equipment and services are readily accessible to provide appropriate emergency resuscitative and life support procedures pending the transfer of the patient or a viable fetus to the hospital. A physician shall sign the discharge order and be readily accessible and available until the last patient is discharged to facilitate the transfer of emergency cases if hospitalization of the patient or viable fetus is necessary. The clinic medical records documenting care provided shall accompany the patient. These records will include the contact information for the physician who performed the procedure at the clinic.

(3) A physician shall discuss Rho (D) immune globulin with each patient for whom it is indicated and will ensure that it is offered to the patient in the immediate post-operative period or that it will be available to the patient within 72 hours following completion of the abortion procedure. If the patient refuses the Rho (D) immune globulin, refusal shall be documented on Refusal to Permit Administration of Rho (D) Immune Globulin, AHCA Form 3130-1002, July 2016, which is incorporated by reference. The form can be obtained at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07598, and from the Agency for Health Care Administration, Hospital and Outpatient Services Unit, Mail Stop #31, 2727 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, or on the Agency website at: http://ahca.myflorida.com/HQAlicensureforms. The form shall be signed by the patient, physician, and a witness, and shall be included in the patient’s medical record.

(4) Written instructions with regard to post-abortion coitus, signs of possible medical complications, and general aftercare shall be given to each patient. Each patient shall have specific written instructions regarding access to medical care for complications, including a telephone number to call for medical emergencies. The physician will ensure that either a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant from the abortion clinic makes a good faith effort to contact the patient by telephone, with the patient’s consent, within 24 hours after surgery to assess the patient’s recovery. A contact for post-operative care from the facility shall be available to the patient on a 24-hour basis.

(5) Clinic procedures must specify the minimum length of time for recovery as warranted by the procedure type and period of gestation.

Rulemaking Authority 390.012(1) FS. Law Implemented 390.012(3)(f) FS. History–New 9-25-06, Amended 4-5-17.