The staff at RHCC would hope to make your experience here today a positive one. We appreciate the concerns and fears you may have. Many wonder as they enter our clinic, “What will happen to me today?” Hopefully, as you read this you will begin to understand the answer to that very question.
The first person you have already spoken with is the receptionist. A urine sample has been obtained so that we may perform a pregnancy test and other routine tests. This medical history is simple but most important for providing the best possible care for your individual needs.
You will now meet our lab technician. She will do a finger-stick to determine your Rh factor and also to determine whether or not you are anemic. At this time you will meet with your counselor to discuss any questions or concerns you have regarding your decision to have an abortion, or about the procedure itself. You will then be asked to read and sign the necessary consent forms. Your vital signs will also be taken. Vital signs are temperature, blood pressure and pulse. You will then be asked to have a seat in the waiting room and wait until you are called by the Office Manager to her office in order to complete your money order, sign for your insurance and ask for a $1.00 contribution to help keep abortion safe and legal in the state of Pennsylvania. If you have your own insurance that you would like submitted on your behalf, this would be the time to do so. You will then be asked to return to the waiting room and wait until your name is called for your procedure.
You will now be called back and then asked to empty your bladder before being taken into your procedure room. At this point we have instituted a most efficient means of handling the flow of our procedures. We at RHCC call this interspersing. This means that you may not go into the procedure room in the order you may think, as we set up our rooms to accommodate a Local patient, General Anesthesia patient, I.V. Sedation patient, etc. You will be called from the order of the anesthesia you have chosen. The abortion or dilation and evacuation will last approximately 5-10 minutes. Your counselor will stay with you for the duration of the procedure. She will also be responsible for assisting the physician. After the procedure you will spend approximately forty-five minutes to an hour in the recovery room. There, your vital signs will be checked and birth control will be discussed. After care will also be reinforced at this time. When you enter the dressing room to change, your significant other who came to the Center with you will be notified that upon your release, they can meet you in the waiting room.
Our commitment to provide quality health care, support and understanding is most important. Please do not hesitate to let us know if we can be of further assistance to you.
-RHCC Staff
