An abortion clinic at 2200 Hamilton St. in Allentown has failed a health inspection.
According to the Health Department, operators “failed to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.”
They found the following problems:
- in two “procedure rooms,” an employee showed inspectors dozens of metal devices used in abortions that had been sterilized, but not wrapped to maintain sterility
- packages of surgical instruments “had an accumulation of brown debris in the hinge areas and brown staining on the inside of the packages.” An employee, who was unnamed, “confirmed that these surgical instruments were considered sterile and ready for patient use.”
- found instruments in sterile packages that were past the expiration dates listed on the packages. Two disposable uterine catheters had expiration dates of March 15, 2003 and September 2005. Clonidine tablets were also out-of-date.
- Other instruments were stored in dirty containers
- A freezer for infectious waste in a scrub room was splattered and smeared with blood and the bottom of the freezer was coated with a “thick layer” of frozen blood.,
- inspectors found violations in the recovery area, where patient care items such as pillows, blankets and heating pad covers were taken home and laundered by staffers “every once in a while.”
This clinic was operating legally, and will continue to see patients. Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice groups oppose laws that would require clinics to be inspected and to meet certain health standards. Planned Parenthood vigorously opposes any law that requires clinics to be licensed and inspected.
Tim Darragh “State inspectors cite Allentown abortion clinic for violations” The Morning Call July 09, 2011
Share on Facebook