Behind the Door: What Really Goes on Inside an Abortion Clinic (Part 1)

It’s 2012.  She’s been in business since 1991. And she still can’t get it right.

Candace Dye, owner and administrator of “A Woman’s World Medical Center” –  the Treasure Coast’s only operating abortion clinic, was recently visited by an inspector from Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration.  The visit marked the fourth year in a row that deficiencies were noted in the clinic’s operation, and yet, the clinic remains in business.

Although some of the deficiencies noted appear insignificant (ie; not posting a current license in a conspicuous place where it can be viewed by patients), each one represents a failure of the administrator to follow the basic requirements of licensure procedures in Florida.  And the failure to follow the procedures established by the State should result in a significant and appropriate consequence.  Isn’t that what civilized society demands from its laws?  Apparently, not when it comes to abortion.  Give a pass to the sacred cow.  Again.

Now, a license posted in the wrong place may not raise the hairs on the back of your neck, but how about resuscitation bags that have not been checked since 2009?  An oxygen tank that posted a sticker noting it had last been checked in 2010?  Oh I know, abortion is safe, they probably never need those things anyway.  Right.

When given the opportunity to point towards the preventative maintenance programs that were developed and maintained at the clinic (and perhaps hidden away in the policy and procedures manual) the long-time administrator of this clinic again faltered.  She acknowledged to the inspector that indeed, there were “no policies” for the maintenance of “patient monitoring equipment, anesthesia, surgical equipment, and all surgical instruments.”  Apparently, the policy and procedures manual is pretty thin.  Aside from missing the section on equipment maintenance, it lacks a section on the requirement to ensure that employees receive proper training and are capable of providing appropriate service and supervision to patients.  The LPN on staff was working with a license that the State of Florida had designated as “under emergency suspension” and “not approved to engage in nursing practice.”  Additionally, said employee was restricted (again, by the State of Florida) from access to narcotics which at this abortion clinic, are stored under lock and key  in a “tackle box on a cart in the procedure room”.  Darn all these rules, rules, rules!  If you don’t like them, just ignore them.

Seems there are a lot of rules ignored over at “A Woman’s World” but the administrator has 21 years of practice, so she’s pretty good at it now.

During an observation during a series of abortions, the State inspector noted an unidentified male carrying women back and forth when they were unable to walk on their own. Apparently intrigued by this mystery man, the inspector questioned the administrator as to his role and qualifications, and whether or not he was a member of the staff with a personnel file.  Without missing a beat, the administrator replied, “No, but he does have a Home Health Aide certificate” but she doesn’t know where it is because he got it ” a long time ago.” As the inspector followed mystery man around the clinic, he was observed signing his name on a document.  (Aha!  The mystery will be solved!) A quick glance at the signature revealed he was none other than… “Lab Tech”.  Further investigation revealed that Lab Tech also is responsible for obtaining the specimen bottle after the procedure (translation: picking up the jar with the shredded dead baby in it) and verifying that all of the products of conception (translation: head, arms, legs, torso) are identified.  He then takes each specimen (translation: baby) and places it in Ziploc bag with the patient’s (translation: mother’s) name on it.  Lab Tech, with his supreme qualifications as a Home Health Aide (we think) then cleans the specimen bottles, returns them to the doctor, and then cleans and sterilizes all the surgical instruments.   All of those responsibilities and he’s not even a member of the staff!

As my good friend Ed says, “You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried!” Stay tuned for another peek behind the door…

Interested? Read the full 31 page report of deficiencies on the AHCA website at this link:

Inspection Report for “A Woman’s World Medical Center”