Abortion clinics across the United States are putting women’s lives at risk, according to a ground-breaking new report.
A detailed study on the abortion industry by Americans United for Life (AUL) highlights hundreds of medical violations at clinics across 32 states.
It contains evidence of ‘unsanitary medical conditions, unlicensed practitioners and untrained staff’, especially at Planned Parenthood facilities.
’Profit over people’
The study also includes harrowing reports on women who have suffered and died as a result of the negligence of abortion clinic staff.
“The abortion industry willingly sacrifices women’s health and safety in their ‘back alley’ clinics, prioritizing mere access to abortion over women’s health and safety”, said Denise Burke, the report’s author and a senior figure at AUL.
“Women’s health and safety must not be held hostage by an abortion industry willing to put profit over people.”
Violations
The top ten violations at abortion clinics, listed in the study, are:
1. Failure to ensure a safe and sanitary environment and failure to follow infection control policies
2. Failure to accurately document patient records and keep patient medical information confidential
3. Failure to ensure staff are properly trained for duties
4. Unlicensed/unqualified/untrained staff providing patient care
5. Expired medications and medical supplies
6. Failure to purchase and maintain required equipment
7. Failure to adopt, follow, and/or periodically review health and safety protocols
8. Failure to properly handle medications
9. Failure to comply with physical plant standards
10. Failure to monitor patient vital signs
Fatalities
The report relays several tragic stories: Jennifer Moribelli, who suffered massive internal bleeding and died shortly after having an abortion; Atonesha Ross, who died at 18 after a botched “5-minute abortion”; and Tonya Reaves, who bled to death because an abortionist did not transport her to a hospital for more than five hours.
It was commissioned after the US Supreme Court struck down Texas pro-life law House Bill 2 (HB2). Enacted in 2013, HB2 required abortion clinics to adhere to the same safety standards as outpatient clinics.
Judges ruled that it would have been constitutional if there was sufficient evidence to back up allegations of poor safety standards at abortion clinics.
The AUL hopes that their report will “equip legislators with evidence of the need for health safety standards, as well as support for calling for comprehensive clinic inspections in all 50 states”.
UK
In August this year abortion group Marie Stopes International suspended some types of abortion across all its English facilities, after a health watchdog’s investigation uncovered “patient safety” concerns.
The Care Quality Commission raised issues over Marie Stopes’ “corporate and clinical governance arrangements and patient safety protocols in specific areas” following inspections.
As a result, all abortions for “under-18s and vulnerable groups of women”, as well as all abortions under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation were temporarily suspended.