TY - JOUR
T1 - A multispecialty study of determining the possibility of pregnancy and the documentation of pregnancy status in surgical patients
T2 - a cause for concern?
AU - Ibrahim, Ibrahim
AU - Ibrahim, Bilal
AU - Yong, Guo Liang
AU - Coats, Maria
AU - Vujovic, Zorica
AU - Wilson, Michael S. J.
PY - 2018/11/1
Y1 - 2018/11/1
N2 - Background: Determining the possibility of pregnancy and the documentation of pregnancy status are important considerations in the assessment of females of reproductive age when admitted to hospital.Objectives: Our aim was to determine the adequacy of the documentation of pregnancy status and possibility of pregnancy across multiple surgical specialties.Materials and methods: A prospective audit of surgical specialties (general, orthopaedics, urology, vascular, maxillofacial, ENT, gynaecology and neurosurgery) within NHS Tayside, in May 2015.Results: A total of 129 females of reproductive age were admitted; 69 (53.5%) elective and 60 (46.5%) emergencies. Eighty-four patients (65%) were asked ‘Is there any possibility of pregnancy?’ Pregnancy status was documented in 74% of patients. Eleven (8.5%) patients were not asked about possibility of pregnancy and did not have a documented pregnancy status. Documentation of the use of contraception, sexual activity and date of last menstrual period was noted in 53 (41.1%), 31 (24.0%) and 66 (51.2%) patients, respectively.Conclusions: There is a wide variation in the documentation of pregnancy status and possibility of pregnancy amongst surgical specialties. This was not an issue in gynaecology but is an issue in ENT, maxillofacial, neurosurgery, vascular and general surgery. The reasons are unclear. Documentation of pregnancy status using ßhCG assays should be the gold standard, and national guidelines are required.
AB - Background: Determining the possibility of pregnancy and the documentation of pregnancy status are important considerations in the assessment of females of reproductive age when admitted to hospital.Objectives: Our aim was to determine the adequacy of the documentation of pregnancy status and possibility of pregnancy across multiple surgical specialties.Materials and methods: A prospective audit of surgical specialties (general, orthopaedics, urology, vascular, maxillofacial, ENT, gynaecology and neurosurgery) within NHS Tayside, in May 2015.Results: A total of 129 females of reproductive age were admitted; 69 (53.5%) elective and 60 (46.5%) emergencies. Eighty-four patients (65%) were asked ‘Is there any possibility of pregnancy?’ Pregnancy status was documented in 74% of patients. Eleven (8.5%) patients were not asked about possibility of pregnancy and did not have a documented pregnancy status. Documentation of the use of contraception, sexual activity and date of last menstrual period was noted in 53 (41.1%), 31 (24.0%) and 66 (51.2%) patients, respectively.Conclusions: There is a wide variation in the documentation of pregnancy status and possibility of pregnancy amongst surgical specialties. This was not an issue in gynaecology but is an issue in ENT, maxillofacial, neurosurgery, vascular and general surgery. The reasons are unclear. Documentation of pregnancy status using ßhCG assays should be the gold standard, and national guidelines are required.
KW - elective surgery
KW - emergency surgery
KW - possibility of pregnancy
KW - Pregnancy status
KW - ßhCG
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059943583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0036933018801486
DO - 10.1177/0036933018801486
M3 - Article
C2 - 30253702
AN - SCOPUS:85059943583
SN - 0036-9330
VL - 63
SP - 108
EP - 112
JO - Scottish Medical Journal
JF - Scottish Medical Journal
IS - 4
ER -