Same-day administration of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate injection: a retrospective chart review

A chart review of clients administered depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection in September of 2000 was performed to assess implementation of a same-day injection administration protocol irregardless of menstrual cycle day. Women were classified into one of the three categories: (1) routine injection (injection given as specified by the package label), (2) same-day start injection (no injection for more than 6 months, did not meet labeled criteria for administration and received an injection the day of the visit) or (3) same-day restart injection (injection given within 6 months prior to receiving an injection at the visit despite being late for their injection). Of the 228 women receiving an injection, 104 (46%) had a nonroutine same-day injection, meaning almost half of the women receiving a contraceptive injection would have had to return for another visit if this protocol had not been in place. Among these women administered a same-day injection, 23 (22%) were also dispensed emergency contraception. Only 1 of the 104 women was subsequently identified to have become pregnant. Other pregnancies are presented to illustrate the importance of adherence to pregnancy testing at the time of injection and revisit, and the need for backup contraception. Using a same-day injection protocol, women can have increased access to injection contraception, and proper adherence to a protocol can assure few pregnancies.