Standards of Care

two binders. one is labeled Policies and the other is labeled Procedures

Clinical Practice Standards

RHCare agencies are required to adopt and follow the RHCare Clinical Practice Standards (CPSs). The CPSs are based on national standards of care and ensure that all clients receive the same high quality reproductive health services.

The RH Program is committed to keeping its CPSs current, which means that as national standards of care change so must the Clinical Practice Standards. The most recently revised CPSs are posted below. If the title and date are bolded it means it was updated recently and agencies are required to adopt and follow the updated version. To view a summary of the most recently updated CPSs, see Clinical Practices Standards Changes Table.

Basic Infertility Services	10/2022
Coitus Interruptus (Withdrawal)	1/2021
Combination Oral Contraceptives	1/2025
Core Reproductive Health Services	1/2024
Depo Provera	1/2025
Diaphragm and Cervical Cap	1/2025
Emergency Contraception	1/2025
External Condoms	1/2021

Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM)	1/2021
Hormonal Contraceptive Patch	1/2025
Internal Condoms	1/2021
Intrauterine Contraception	1/2025
Lactational Amenorrhea (LAM)	10/2022
Preconception Health Visit	1/2021
Pregnancy Test Visit	10/2022
Prescription Visit	1/2025

Progestin-Only Pills	1/2025
Reproductive Health Well Visit	1/2025
STI Screening, Testing, and Treatment	1/2024
Subdermal Implant	1/2025
Tubal Sterilization - Counseling & Referral	1/2021
Vaginal Contraceptive Ring	1/2025
Vaginal Spermicides & pH Modulators	1/2025
Vasectomy - Counseling & Referral	1/2021

Resources for Clinical Care

Providing Quality Family Planning (QFP) Services: The QFP 2024 recommendations are intended for providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare working in diverse clinical settings. They outline evidence-based guidelines on how to provide people with high-quality, equitable, and inclusive SRH services.

CDC Provider Resources for the SPR and MEC: Links to the CDC Contraception app, MEC chart, and other tools to help implement evidence-based contraceptive care into clinical practice.

Reproductive Health Hotline: A free, confidential hotline connecting healthcare providers in the U.S. with expert physicians at UCSF to answer clinical questions about sexual and reproductive health.

CDC Provider Resources for STI Treatment: Links to the CDC STI Treatment guidelines, app, and other tools to help implement evidence-based STI screening and treatment into clinical practice.

Sample Protocols (Word) - Agencies are welcome to use these sample protocols (sometimes referred to as "standing orders") as a template for allowing RN-initiated contraceptive methods or other medications.