Resuscitation in the family planning and reproductive health care setting

Abstract

A potentially life-threatening emergency in the family planning clinic situation is going to be extremely rare. However, as members of the medical profession acting in our official capacity in the clinic situation, we should know and be able to carry out correct procedures. It is important that regular updating of all the staff is made available. Good clinical practice should minimise the likelihood of a serious adverse event. Make sure that the person fitting the IUD has sufficient training and that there is always another colleague present in the room or nearby. If a client collapses, someone has to call for help while the other starts recovery procedures. Make sure the basic emergency drugs are available in the clinic. What is held at the clinic level will depend on the local response times of the emergency services and the policy of the parent NHS provider unit, and should be discussed with the local risk manager; this also applies to availability of oxygen, which is used by some providers. A protocol should be in place to check and replenish the contents of the emergency drug pack. Advanced life support has not been addressed in the discussion. However, as more defibrillators become available in public places, knowledge of how to use them may become essential in the future.