SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Whole Woman’s Health of South Bend, Northern Indiana’s premier abortion clinic, claims a report of the death of an 18-year-old soon-to-be mother is the result of “staff clerical error.”
RNM uncovered the document showing the death last week and has been working to get information regarding the report since then. Whole Woman’s Health did not respond until RNM published the original story seen here. RNM has also reached out to the Indiana Department of Health. The Indiana Department of Health has not responded to RNM’s requests either.
RNM is currently working to find out how often errors in abortion treatment are made by them. The emailed statement and response from the abortion clinic can be seen below.
From Kristin Landis, Whole Woman’s Health:
Whole Woman’s Health of South Bend has NEVER had a patient death or any kind of major complication. The news article that aired today, citing a reporting form filed in June 2020, is INCORRECT. The reporting form in question was submitted in accordance with state regulations almost one year ago and reflects a staff clerical error. Whole Woman’s Health never received notification from the Indiana Department of Health about this clerical error.
Whole Woman’s Health of South Bend prides itself on safety record and we treat our patients with the highest standards of medical care. We request that you retract the article published today as it is misleading and inaccurate.
Response from RNM:
Thank you for the response.
Who is responsible for the clerical error? Dr. Williams? Or another member of the Whole Woman’s Health staff?
What is the policy for the clinic when such a clerical error happens?
How many clerical errors have happened when reporting to the state?
Performing medical procedures is a big responsibility. Are clerical errors acceptable? What’s being done to prevent such errors in the future?
Are you claiming a maternal death was never reported to the state?
I will report that there was a clerical error in the reporting. However, I do need some confirmation from the state to prove there was no death, considering the document obtained is an actual state document.
I would like to sit down and have an actual interview with someone from the organization. Please let me know when that can be done.
They provides abortion pills to women up to 10 weeks pregnant and referrals to abortion providers for women who are further along.
The clinic is currently operating without a license. The state of Indiana refused to issue a license to the facility several years ago. In 2019, a federal judge issued an injunction, allowing the clinic to open while its case goes through the courts.
You can view the report of maternal death below.
