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Emergency department post-coital contraception in Northern Ireland
S Mawhinney1, O Dornan, R Ashe
1Antrim Area Hospital, Northern Ireland. sandramawhinney@dsl.pipex.com
Irish Journal of Medical Science
|November 16, 2004
Summary
Accident and emergency (A&E) departments are increasingly providing emergency hormonal contraception, particularly to young women under 25. Effective patient care requires A&E staff training and support for these consultations.
Area of Science:
- Emergency medicine
- Reproductive health
- Contraception
Background:
- The availability of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) may necessitate formal service provision by accident and emergency (A&E) departments.
- This study reviews the experience of an A&E unit in Northern Ireland regarding EHC provision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze patient attendance patterns for emergency contraception requests in an A&E setting.
- To evaluate the quality of care provided for emergency contraception consultations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 100 patient case notes.
- Patients included were those attending the A&E department requesting emergency contraception.
Main Results:
- 61% of EHC requests occurred outside standard pharmacy hours.
- 77% of patients were under 26 years old, with 63% attending within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse.
- 43% had not used any contraception previously; consultation documentation regarding menstrual and sexual history was inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- A&E departments manage a significant number of emergency hormonal contraception requests, especially from women under 25.
- Adequate training and support for A&E staff are crucial for effective management of these consultations.