Article Text
Abstract
Background/introduction Since 2011 guidelines by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) have stated that those who provide emergency contraception are required to give certain guidance. This includes counselling on the contraception provided as well as protection against unwanted pregnancy in the future in the form of LARC (long-acting reversible contraception). This, however, is neither ubiquitously achieved or documented across the centres offering this service.
Aim(s)/objectives To ascertain the level of concordance with the RCOG guidelines at two centres within London, and highlight the importance of following and documenting them.
Methods A comprehensive search was performed using the emisweb tool in The Essex Lodge surgery in Plaistow on 11/12/14 and in the Highland Road Practice in Bromley on 15/01/15.
Results This audit collected data on 57 patients from both the practices, 20 of whom (27%) had been given no documented advice on either LARC or the medication itself, 12 (16%) contraception advice only, 25 (33%) LARC only, and only 18 (24%) advice on both.
Discussion/conclusion The varying results between practices indicate that greater care needs to be taken to provide patients with information concerning both the treatment that they are requesting and preventative measures. It is also important to document that these objectives have been achieved with each consultation- something which we have found was not done ubiquitously as is recommended. We have produced an informative poster and hope that this will facilitate changes in the future.