Alabama Abortion Clinics inspected

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ALABAMA, INC

Based on observations and interviews with facility staff, it was determined the examination table in
Exam Room # 1 was not in good repair, so as to reduce the potential for infection. This had the
potential to negatively affect all patients served by this facility.
Findings include:
On 1/8/13 at 12:55 PM a tour of the facility was conducted. The surveyor observed the
examination table top, located in Exam Room # 1, had cracks and worn areas in the vinyl

A state inspection conducted in January of 2013 at the WEST ALABAMA WOMEN’S CENTER, INC revealed that:

Based on review of the center’s policies, observations and interview, it was determined the
center did not follow their own standards of practice for:
1. Hand Washing
2. Glove usage
3. Cleaning of supplies
4. Safe use of sharps containers

During the tour on 1/10/13 at 10:30 AM in Exam Room # 2 the surveyor noted a sharps container more than 2/3 full with needles on the floor beside the sharps container. The soap dispenser by the sink in Exam Room 2 did not work so the surveyor was unable wash her hands with soap and water.
An interview was conducted with Employee Identifier # 1, Director on 1/10/13 at 10:45 AM
who verified the sharps container was more than 2/3 full and the needles were on the floor.
A tour was conducted in Medication Storage Closet on 1/10/13 at 11:00 AM. The surveyor
observed the following unlabeled:
1 – 10 cc (cubic centimeter) syringe with liqui
and a needle
2- 3 cc syringes with liquid and a needle
3- 1 unit syringes with liquid and a needle
An interview with EI # 1 and EI # 2, Medical Director was conducted on 1/10/13 at 11:05 AM
and both stated it was used for Lidocaine.On 1/10/13 at 2:40 PM the surveyor observed EI
# 2 perform a procedure in Exam Room # 2. EI #
2 was observed giving an injection intravenously in the right antecubital without the use of gloves.
EI # 2 was also observed by the surveyor during the above procedure use non sterile gloves to examine Patient Identifier (PI) # 1 and then change to sterile gloves without hand hygiene.
EI # 3, the nurse assisting with the procedure also changed gloves during the above procedure without hand hygiene.
PI # 1 was transferred to the Recovery Room on 1/10/13 at 2:51 PM. PI # 1 was seated in a
recliner and feet propped up. EI # 4, Registered Nurse, then administered Rhogam to PI # 1 right shoulder without the use of gloves.
PI # 1 was discharged on 1/10/13 at 3:21 PM. EI # 4 did not clean the back and feet area of the recliner.
A tour was conducted on 1/11/13 at 9:10 AM, to exam Room # 2. The surveyor was unable to obtain soap from the soap dispenser. EI # 1 tried to obtain soap and was unable.

State officials raised several red flags during a January 2013 unannounced inspection of Alabama Women’s Center for Reproductive Alternatives, in Huntsville. According to a “Statement of Deficiencies” available on the agency’s website, the clinic at 612 Madison St. did not properly sterilize blood pressure cuffs and exam tables between patients, had an incorrect time stamp on its ultrasound machine and may have dispensed outdated Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, as well as Clonidine, a drug used to treat high blood pressure. A review of 20 patient records also found one instance where the clinic did not document whether a patient chose to view an ultrasound prior to having an abortion. Nurses from the state health department’s Bureau of Health Provider Standards completed the inspection Jan. 9. ( News Story Here )

This is the seventh time state officials have inspected Alabama Women’s Center since the clinic was licensed in 2001. The license has never been suspended or revoked.

Last year, the state shut down New Woman All Women Health Care in Birmingham after finding myriad health violations, including employees who weren’t properly trained to provide safe patient care, no written policy for what to do in the event of medication errors, nurses without a job description and nurses dispensing medication without a physician’s order.