Abortion Reporting and Data Collection in Tennessee

1. Are there any restrictions in Tennessee regarding collection and/or reporting of abortion data?


Yes, there are restrictions in Tennessee regarding the collection and reporting of abortion data. The law requires abortion providers to submit reports to the state health department that contain detailed information about each abortion performed, including the woman’s age, marital status, race and county of residence. However, the state does not allow the release of any statistical information that could be used to identify individual women who have obtained an abortion. Additionally, providers may not include the reasons for which an abortion was sought in the reports they submit.

2. Does Tennessee mandate the reporting of abortion data?


Yes, Tennessee does mandate the reporting of abortion data. The state Department of Health requires that any facility providing abortions must submitpatient and facility information to the department within 30 days of completing a procedure. This data is used to compile an annual report on abortion activities in the state.

3. How does Tennessee regulate the collection of abortion data?


In Tennessee, the Department of Health is required to annually publish abortion data collected from all facilities or physician’s offices performing abortions. The data must include information such as the age, race, and county of residence of the patient, the number of weeks gestation at the time of the abortion, and the method used to perform the abortion. The Department of Health is also required to publish statistics regarding any complications arising from abortions performed in Tennessee.

4. What information is required for recording abortions in Tennessee?


In Tennessee, all abortions must be reported to the Department of Health in accordance with state law. The information required for reporting includes the patient’s name, date of birth, address, race, ethnicity, county of residence, gestational age of the fetus (if known), date of the abortion procedure and type of procedure performed. In addition, the report should include the type of clinic or provider performing the abortion, and any complications experienced by the patient.

5. What is the legal definition of abortion in Tennessee?


In Tennessee, abortion is defined as the intentional termination of a pregnancy through surgical or medical means. The Tennessee State Constitution states that “nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” The state has enacted numerous restrictions on the procedure, including a 48-hour waiting period, parental consent for minors, and a ban on most abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization.

6. Are there any laws in Tennessee that require reporting of abortion information?


Yes, there are laws in Tennessee that require reporting of abortion information. The Tennessee Department of Health is required to collect and report certain information related to abortions in the state. These reports include the number and type of abortions performed, as well as demographic information about the women who had the procedure. The reports also include information about any complications arising from the abortion. Additionally, the state requires abortion clinics to provide clients with public health literature related to the risks of abortion and potential alternatives.

7. What existing policies govern the collection and reporting of abortion data in Tennessee?


In Tennessee, the collecting and reporting of abortion data is governed by the Tennessee Department of Health’s “Guidelines for the Completion of Form AS-7, Certificate of Induced Termination of Pregnancy,” which outlines the information required on the form, information that must be reported to the Department, and other instructions related to the reporting process. Additionally, there is the Tennessee Administrative Code Title 11, Chapter 9, Part 1, which outlines the regulations for collecting and reporting abortion data in Tennessee. Finally, there is the Tennessee Uniform Reporting System (TURS) published by the Tennessee Department of Health, which contains detailed instructions for data collection and reporting.

8. What are the applicable statutory requirements concerning abortion reporting in Tennessee?


In Tennessee, a woman who has an abortion must submit a signed statement to the health care provider who provided the abortion. This statement must include the following information:

1. The name of the woman seeking the abortion and her age;
2. The county or city of residence;
3. The date of the pregnancy termination;
4. The type of abortion procedure performed;
5. The gestational age of the fetus at the time of the abortion;
6. Whether any medical or surgical complications arose as a result of the abortion;
7. The name and address of the health care provider who performed the abortion; and
8. In cases of induced fetal demise procedures, a copy of the ultrasound used to determine viability.

The health care provider must then submit this information to the Tennessee Department of Health, which maintains records of all abortions reported in the state.

9. Is abortion data collected by Tennessee health care providers?


No, abortion data is not collected by Tennessee health care providers.

10. Who is responsible for collecting abortion data in Tennessee?


The Tennessee Department of Health is responsible for collecting abortion data in Tennessee.

11. Does Tennessee have any regulations concerning the confidentiality of abortion information?


Yes. Tennessee law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-214) requires that all abortion providers keep records of abortions performed and shall maintain the confidentiality of patient information regarding all abortions. The law also requires that reports to the Department of Health regarding abortions must only provide statistical information and must not include any information that identifies any patient or any provider.

12. What are the protocols governing the storage and sharing of abortion data in Tennessee?


The protocols governing the storage and sharing of abortion data in Tennessee are outlined in the Tennessee Department of Health’s (TDH) “Protocols for Reporting and Storage of Abortion Data”. This protocol sets forth procedures for collection, storage, confidentiality, use, release, and disclosure of data related to abortions that occur in Tennessee. The protocol states that all abortion data must be reported to TDH in a timely manner and stored securely in accordance with state and federal laws. Data may be released to appropriate personnel as authorized by the Commissioner of TDH or by law. All data must be kept confidential and must not be used for any purpose other than that authorized by law.

13. How are abortion records and statistics maintained in Tennessee?


In Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) maintains abortion records and statistics. TDH collects detailed information regarding each abortion performed in the state, including the patient’s age, race and county of residence. This data is published annually as part of the department’s Vital Statistics Report.

14. What standard is used for determining gestational age when collecting abortion data in Tennessee?


Gestational age in Tennessee is determined according to the last menstrual period (LMP) of the patient.

15. Are organizations required to report abortions to the Tennessee health department?


Yes. Organizations providing abortions must report the data to the Tennessee Department of Health, in accordance with the Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-11-1101.

16. Does Tennessee have a centralized system for collecting abortion data?


No, Tennessee does not have a centralized system for collecting abortion data. Data is collected by individual clinics and reported to the Tennessee Department of Health.

17. Are there any restrictions on the use of abortion records and statistics in Tennessee?


Yes. In Tennessee, abortion records and statistics are confidential information and may only be used by certain individuals for specific purposes. Physicians, health care providers, and women must consent to the release of such information. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Health has strict regulations on the release of abortion statistics to the public.

18. How does Tennessee ensure accuracy and completeness of abortion data reported by health care providers?


In Tennessee, abortion data is collected by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) through an Abortion Surveillance System. TDH requires that all health care providers who provide abortions must report information for each abortion procedure to the TDH. The information collected includes patient demographics, dates of service, type of procedure, gestational age, and other relevant data.

TDH uses a verification process to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data reported by health care providers. This process includes a thorough review of submitted records and follow-up with providers if any discrepancies or incomplete information is identified. In addition, TDH regularly conducts onsite visits to inspect facilities and verify that providers are reporting abortion data accurately and completely.

19. Does Tennessee have policies and procedures for auditing the accuracy of reported abortions data?


Yes, Tennessee does have policies and procedures for auditing the accuracy of reported abortions data. The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) has a process for auditing abortion data submitted to the state. TDH reviews the abortion reports submitted to the state by providers to ensure accuracy and completeness. The auditing process also includes a review of the medical records associated with the abortions to verify the accuracy of the information reported.

20. Are there any specific requirements for submitting abortions reports to the Tennessee health department?


Yes, there are specific requirements for submitting abortion reports to the Tennessee health department. These requirements are outlined on the health department’s website. Specifically, all reports must include certain information such as the patient’s name, date of birth, address, physician performing the procedure, and other demographic information. The health department also requires that all reports be submitted electronically via their secure website.