MOBILE, Ala. — A recent Alabama Department of Health inspection report of the Mobile Planned Parenthood location reveals startling details of unsanitary conditions and failure to report the possible sexual abuse of a 14-year-old young woman who received two abortions at the clinic within a space of four months.
The deficiencies report, a public document required of all clinics in Alabama, describes the areas where a facility falls short of either the health and safety regulations or legal requirements of the state.
Perhaps the most startling violation described is the failure of the clinic to report the possible sexual abuse of a minor. The inspection found a 14-year-old patient, refered in the report as “MR#16,” had recently received her second abortion in 4 months from the clinic. The woman had already given birth to two other children.
“Based on the review of the Alabama Code 1975, Title 26, Chapter 14, Reporting of Child Abuse or Neglect, facility’s policies and procedures, medical record (MR), and interview, it was determined the facility failed to report reasonable suspected abuse or neglect for a minor. This affected MR #16 and had the potential to affect all patients served by this facility,” said the report.
Under Alabama law, all “hospitals, clinics, sanitariums, doctors, physicians, and surgeons,” among many other categories of professionals are what is called “mandatory reporters,” meaning if a minor is “known or suspected to be a victim of child abuse or neglect,” they are required to report it immediately directly to the authorities.
While the clinic’s own policy reinforces that responsibility, the Health Department found that no report was made, and MR#16 remained in the possibility of danger.
Further, Alabama law requires minors receiving an abortion to have parent or guardian approval, and a physician or physician’s agent must verify the signature of the parent or legal guardian was authentic.
The 14-year-old patient was also given a medical abortion while she was considered “severely anemic.” The use of the Mifepristone, the abortion-inducing drug was not suitable for her condition. The report found that there was no consultation given to address her anemia.
This instance, the report says, is another violation that has the potential to “affect all patients served by this facility.”
The report also detailed several health and safety violations.
“Based on the review of the facilities policies and procedures, observation and interviews, it was determined the facility failed to follow the procedure for Instrument Cleaning and Sterilization, gloves and hand hygiene,” it reads. “This had the potential to negatively affect all patients served by this facility.”
Inspectors found the clinic improperly sterilized instruments, using less than the required amount of disinfectant.
An abortionist was observed donning gloves before properly washing their hands. Another clinic worker was seen removing “blood soiled gloves,” and failing to properly wash their hands. Yet another employee touched sterile instruments with bare, unwashed hands.
The report of these violations by the Mobile Planned Parenthood clinic are particularly disturbing in light of the recent allegations the abortion provider has been illegally altering procedures to sell the body parts of unborn babies.
Several states, including Alabama, have ended their contracts with Planned Parenthood following those revelations, though the clinics still receive Medicaid reimbursements.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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