The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45155

Lorelei Goodyear, MPH¹, Joseph Ruminjo, MD, and Keith Edwards³. (1) Postabortion Care Program, EngenderHealth, 440 9th Ave., New York, NY 10001, 212 993 9846, lgoodyear@engenderhealth.org, (2) Material Resources, EngenderHealth, 440 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10001

One of the most important approaches to addressing the medical problems related to unsafe abortion around the world is the introduction of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) as a safer method of uterine evacuation. Globally there are several manufacturers of MVA instruments. The instruments they produce vary in quality, cost and local availability. As MVA becomes more widely used, decision-makers for procurement in both public and private sectors must decide which brand of equipment to buy. As of yet, there is no data comparing the quality, safety, durability, usability and cost of MVA instruments. We are witnessing an increase in procurement decisions that are based on cost alone, and we observe that possibly poor quality MVA instruments are becoming more widely used as a result. In a climate of health care reform and economic stringency, MVA instruments that demand the lowest initial financial outlay may appear most appealing. In the long-term, the same instruments may not be safe or cost-effective. EngenderHealth will present a “consumer-reports” style review of MVA instruments currently available on the international market. This report will serve as a guide for buyers by highlighting evaluation criteria they can use to assess products not evaluated in this report (new products and/or those not available when the research was conductd).

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to analyze data comparing the quality, safety, durability, usability and cost of MVA instruments from multiple manufacturers.
• Participants will learn evaluation criteria they can use to assess MVA instrument products (new products and/or those not available at time of the research.)

Keywords: Post-Abortion Care, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Milex, Laboratoire C.C.D., Medgyn, Pacific Hospital Supply Company, Eve/Liam, IPAS, Sigma International, Jan Mangal Sanstha (JMS)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.