Agenda - 12-04-2006-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I ~ Emergency Contraception Emergency Contraception in the Emergency Room for Survivors of Sexual Assault An estimated 25,000 women become pregnant as a result of rape each year in the United States. Approximately 88 percent, or 22,000 of these unintended pregnancies could be prevented if victims are provided access to emergency contraception (EC). In NCWU's 2004-2005 study regarding the dispensation of EC to victims of sexual assault in emergency rooms, one in four hospitals in North Carolina do not provide EC to survivors of sexual assault. With 5,000 sexual assault victims seeking help at emergency rooms in North Carolina each year, this results in 1,000 rape victims who are sent away without being provided emergency contraception. Sexual assault victims living in rural counties will disproportionately encounter hospitals which do not have a standard policy to dispense EC. Also relevant to the administration of EC is the availability of a SANE program. According to NCWU's research, hospitals with a SANE program are more likely to offer information and provide EC than hospitals without a program. The Federal Drug Administration has found Plan B, the brand name for emergency contraception, to be a safe, effective, and approved method of preventing pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception is a high dose of birth control that does not affect an already established pregnancy, but instead prevents an impending pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, fertilization, or by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. Providing EC in emergency rooms to sexual assault victims is imperative because EC is time sensitive. EC reduces the likelihood of pregnancy by 89% if taken within 72 hours of intercourse (although it can be effective up to even 120 hours). Nine states -California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington -mandate that hospital providers offer EC to women after sexual assault. In 2005, Congress introduced two bills (HR 2928 and S 1264) which would require federally funded hospitals to offer EC to victims of sexual assault. The House found in HR 2928 that many hospitals routinely do riot offer EC to women seeking treatment and that nine out often women of reproductive age are unaware of EC, increasing the importance that hospitals offer EC because most women are unlikely to ask for it. The America College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Medical Association all support making EC available in emergency rooms. The American College of Emergency Physicians includes dispensation of EC' to rape victims in its standard protocol. All hospitals in North Carolina should provide EC in their standard ER care for survivors of sexual assault. regardless of the physician on duty. Health care providers have a duty to ensure that patients receive accurate information and appropriate care. Failure to provide this care jeopardizes women's health and violates medical ethics. Medical ethics and sound science -not religious ideology- should determine~medical decisions. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION... The General Assembly should support legislation that requires hospitals to provide EC to survivors of sexual assault on-site regardless of the physician on duty. 2006-2007 YVonzen's D~~aftAgenda 7