Equipment capital in ten New York City hospitals

The sudden rise in demand for abortion services caused by recent legislation im many states requires the establishment of service standards for the medical profession to insure that safe, accessible abortions are available at reasonable fees for all who need them. All abortion services, as a rule, should be provided in conjuction with contraceptive counseling. It is recommended by the American Public Health Association that rapid abortion referral services be provided through public health departments and voluntary agencies. Counseling is a key part of such referrals and should serve to expedite and not delay the obtaining of such services. Psychiatric consultation should not be mandatory. It is pointed out that a wide range of workers from volunteers to specialized physicians can serve as abortion counselors. Public health agencies have a responsibility to actively educate the public about abortion. Key factors in reducing the surgical risk of abortion include the skill of the physician, the proper surgical environment, and the optimum gestational period. Second trimester abortions are recommended as inpatient procedures only. Adequate surgical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, diagnostic and therapeutic facilities including emergency capabilities are minimum standards for abortion procedures. Adequately trained physicians without negative personal attitudes toward abortion should perform these procedures at resonable cost. An essential part of insuring proper abortion services is the careful and complete reporting of all abortions and the constant assimilation and evaluation of these records.