An abortion otherwise permitted by law shall be performed only in a hospital or by a licensed physician in a facility which provides the following standards and procedures which must be met and adhered to:
(a) Written verification by two physicians, one of whom may be the physician performing the abortion, of the diagnosis of pregnancy and duration of pregnancy shall be made. Both physicians shall be qualified for diagnosis of such condition and shall verify that they have thoroughly examined the patient at least once prior to the performance of the abortion.
(b) There shall be a recorded pre-operative history and physical examination particularly directed to identification of pre-existing or concurrent illnesses or drug sensitivities that may have a bearing on the operative procedures or the anesthesia.
(c) Laboratory procedures as are usually required for a hospital admission, including blood type and Rh factor, shall be followed.
(d) A receiving facility where the patient may be prepared and receive necessary pre- operative medication and observation prior to the procedure shall be provided.
(e) An operating room shall be provided which is properly equipped to safely conduct the abortion procedure and to assure the availability on the premises of adequate blood, oxygen, anesthesia, resuscitation equipment and standby ambulance service to handle complications and emergency situations which could occur during the procedure. Proper anesthesia service shall be administered by a licensed physician.
(g) A recovery facility shall be provided which is staffed with at least one Registered Nurse in attendance at all times, in which the patient shall be observed for a twenty-four hour post-operative period. Adequate blood transfusion facilities must be so available that an emergency transfusion can be given in this facility at any time within this twenty-four hour period.
(h) The facility shall provide pre-operative and post-operative psychological counseling by an individual appropriately qualified in the field of psychology. Written verification shall be submitted of both the pre-operative and post-operative counseling sessions and shall include the patient's reasons for desiring the abortion and alternatives presented to the patient. Such report shall be kept in the permanent records.
(i) Written post-operative instructions shall be given the patient and arrangements shall be made for a post-operative follow-up examination within one month after the abortion. Examination by a certified pathologist of all pathological specimens shall be made. Human remains shall be disposed of in a humanitarian, legal and dignified manner.
(j) Adequate permanent records shall be kept and a report shall be made to the Lorain County Health Department of the need for administration of antibiotics, blood transfusion, prolongation of the patient's stay, hospital admission and other complications. The physician performing the abortion must file with the Lorain County Health Department an abortion report form for each abortion, which form shall contain a pathological diagnosis of the estimated age of gestation and the height and weight (in grams) of the fetus. This registry shall be maintained by the Health Department and shall include recording by code numbers, the patients who have been aborted and any complications which resulted.
(k) The usual informed consent, including the operative permit signed by the pregnant woman and her parents if she is a legal minor, shall be obtained.
(l) The external identification and promotion of such facility shall conform to the provisions of the code of ethics of the national professional organizations of those physicians performing services within the facility.
(m) All such facilities shall permit periodic inspection by the Lorain County Health Department.
(n) The facility shall meet the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals which apply to the areas set forth in this section.
(Ord. 16-75. Passed 3-3-75.)