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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Mult Scler. 2017 Mar 24;23(6):757–764. doi: 10.1177/1352458517701314

Table 3.

US MEC, US SPR, and QFP provider tools.a

Provider tool Description
US MEC, US SPR, QFP Print versions of the guidance documents
US MEC/US SPR app An easy to use reference that combines information from both the US MEC and US SPR that features a streamlined interface so providers can access the guidance quickly and easily (available for iOS and Android operating systems)
QFP app An easy to use reference to help providers make the best use of every family planning visit by streamlining decisions on what services to offer and how to provide them (available for iOS and Android operating systems)
US MEC Wheel An easy to use tool similar to a pregnancy gestation wheel that summarizes US MEC classifications; the medical conditions and personal characteristics are around the outside of the wheel, the contraceptive methods around the inside of the wheel, and the recommendations are revealed as the wheel turns
US MEC Summary Chart A color-coded summary chart of US MEC classifications for IUDs, implants, DMPA, POPs, and CHCs
US SPR Charts Three charts are available that cover two main topics each including:

  1. when to start using specific contraceptive methods and routine follow-up after contraceptive initiation;

  2. recommended actions after late or missed combined oral contraceptives, delayed application or detachment with combined hormonal patch, and delayed insertion or reinsertion with combined vaginal ring;

  3. management of the IUD when an IUD user is found to have pelvic inflammatory disease and management of women with bleeding irregularities while using contraception
Effectiveness of Family Planning Methods Chart A chart that lists family planning methods by level of effectiveness during typical use from most to least effective

US MEC: US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use; US SPR: US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use; QFP: Quality Family Planning Services; IUD: intrauterine devices; DMPA: depot medroxyprogesterone acetate; POPs: progestin-only pills; CHCs: combined hormonal contraceptives.