Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 48 - PUBLIC HEALTH-GENERAL
Part I - General Administration
Subpart 3 - Licensing and Certification
Chapter 44 - Abortion Facilities
Subchapter C - Pre-operative, Intra-operative, and PostOperative Procedures
Section I-4437 - Post-Operative Care, Procedures, and Discharge

1. The outpatient abortion facility shall have immediately available a supply of emergency drugs for stabilizing and/or treating medical and surgical complications for post-operative care on the licensed premises.

2. The patient's recovery shall be supervised by a licensed physician or a licensed nurse trained in postoperative care.

3. If general anesthesia is administered during the abortion procedure, the outpatient abortion facility shall have licensed nursing personnel trained in post-anesthesia care.

4. Upon completion of an abortion procedure, the physician shall immediately perform a gross examination of the uterine contents and shall document the findings in the patients medical record. If no products of conception are visible, the physician shall assess the patient for risk of complications of an incomplete abortion or ectopic pregnancy.

5. Upon admission to the post-anesthesia recovery area, the patient shall be assessed by the licensed nurse for the following: level of consciousness, respiratory status, cardio-vascular status, pain level, bleeding, any potential outcomes related to the abortion procedure and any other medically appropriate assessments. The results of this assessment shall be documented by the licensed nurse in the patients medical record.

6. A patient shall not be left unattended in the post-anesthesia recovery area.

7. RH immunoglobulin administration shall be offered to the woman who is Rh-negative and such shall be documented in the patients medical record. If Rh immunoglobulin is not administered in the facility, one of the following is required:

1. The patient shall be given verbal and written postoperative instructions for follow-up care. Such instructions given or provided by the physician performing or inducing the abortion shall include the telephone number by which the pregnant woman may reach the physician, or other health care personnel employed by the physician, or facility at which the abortion was performed or induced, who has 24 hours per day access to the womans relevant medical records so that the woman may request assistance related to any complication that arises from the performance or induction of the abortion, or to ask health-related questions regarding the abortion.

2. The patient shall also be given or provided, by the physician performing or inducing the abortion, the name and telephone number of the hospital nearest to the home of the pregnant woman at which an emergency arising from the abortion would be treated.

3. A member of the medical staff shall remain on the licensed premises until each patient is assessed to be awake, alert, and medically stable prior to discharge.

4. A copy of the discharge instructions signed by the patient and the physician shall be maintained in the patients medical record.