From The President’s Desk…Fall/Winter 2022

THE DANGERS OF MISSED ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
 by Mary Smallwood, RN

 Bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy (EP) causes 10% of all pregnancy-related deaths and is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester. It also carries a high risk of future health complications. Despite what is known about the risks, ectopic pregnancies are often misdiagnosed by healthcare providers.

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

An EP occurs when an embryo implants outside of the uterine cavity. The most common site of ectopic implantation is the fallopian tube. However, implantation can also occur in the cervix, ovaries, abdominal cavity, or within a prior cesarean section scar. In the general population, 1-2 out of every 100 pregnancies will be ectopic. The occurrence of EP rises to 2-5 out of every 100 for patients undergoing assisted reproduction. Other factors that increase the likelihood of having an EP include:

• Prior ectopic pregnancies;
• History of fallopian tube surgery or tubal ligation;
• Advanced maternal age;
• Smoking;
• History of pelvic infections; and
• Intrauterine device (IUD) use

Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are not considered viable. There is no way for a fertilized egg to grow fully outside of the uterus. Currently, there is no technology available to move an ectopic embryo to the uterus.

The standard treatments for EP are either medicine or surgery:

1. Methotrexate: an injection is used to stop the fertilized egg’s cells from growing. The body reabsorbs any cells that have already developed. The benefit of this treatment is that it should not damage the fallopian tube.
2. Surgery: a surgeon makes a small cut, inserts a camera and removes the embryo. There is a risk that surgery may cause scarring or that a piece of the fallopian tube will need to be removed along with the embryo.

The Risks of Ectopic Pregnancy

The importance of timely identification and treatment cannot be overstated. There are significant risks of mortality and morbidity associated with EP that early detection may prevent. Between 6% to 16% of pregnant women who go to an emergency department in the first trimester for bleeding, pain, or both have an ectopic pregnancy. Some of the risks of missing this common diagnosis include:

• Hemorrhage;
• Infertility;
• Higher risk for future ectopic pregnancy;
• Need for surgery; and
• Emotional pain and suffering.

All patients with a suspected EP should be considered potentially hemodynamically unstable.

Standards for Preventing a Missed EP

Reports estimate that 40% of ectopic pregnancies go undiagnosed at first presentation. It is considered a challenging condition to identify, even among experienced gynecologists. A history and physical exam alone is unlikely to be sufficient to diagnose an EP. Other conditions with similar presentations include urinary tract infection, appendicitis, miscarriage, early pregnancy, pelvic infection, or ovarian cysts. Providers may not even consider EP as part of the differential diagnosis.

Some ways that healthcare providers can minimize the risk of missing an EP include:

1. Female patients of childbearing age who have not undergone a hysterectomy should receive a pregnancy test, including patients with a tubal ligation or who say they could not be pregnant.
2. Serum pregnancy tests are more accurate than urine tests, especially when the patient has been consuming a lot of fluids.
3. The chart should document why an ectopic pregnancy is ruled out, with risk factors addressed.
4. Any discrepancy between symptoms in the nursing notes and the physician’s notes should be reconciled.
5. Perform serial exams for any patient with unexplained abdominal pain.

Sending a patient with a possible EP home from the hospital is not a definite deviation from the standard of care; however, it can be risky. A negative ultrasound that does not identify an intrauterine pregnancy does not rule out the possibility of an EP. Providers should ensure adequate followup as a way to minimize this risk. Ideally, patients with a pregnancy of an undetermined location should be seen by an obstetrician within 48 hours for a repeat exam, labs and ultrasound.

The provider should tell the patient if a workup can not definitively rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Besides being good practice, clear communication can be legally protective. If the patient later finds out she has an ectopic pregnancy, recalling that the provider discussed this, could make the patient less likely to followup with a malpractice claim.

For more information on ectopic pregnancies, see the resources provided on the sidebar.

Mary Smallwood, RN
Immediate Past President, Greater Orlando Chapter of AALNC

_________________________________________________________________________

MEET THE GREATER ORLANDO CHAPTER OF AALNC 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Jillian Talento, BSN, RN, CEN, LNCC
President Elect: Tory Palivoda, BS, RN, LNCC
Immediate Past President: Mary Smallwood, RN
Secretary: Lyn Brooks, BSN, RN, LNCC
Treasurer: Patty Mitchell, BSN, RN, CLNC
Director at Large: Robin Axtell, BSN, RN, LNCC
Director at Large: Kenyetta Christmas, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, CLNC
Director at Large: Michelle Gaines, MNA, RN, CRNA
Director at Large: Judy A. Young, MSN, MHL, RN, LNCC

________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE GREATER ORLANDO CHAPTER OF AALNC

The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) was founded in 1989, as a not for profit membership organization dedicated to the professional enhancement and growth of registered nurses practicing in the specialty of legal nurse consulting. Chapter development quickly followed. The Orlando community was rich with nurses already practicing in the field of legal nursing. This group of committed professionals quickly became members of the new national organization and recognized the need for a local chapter. The Greater Orlando Chapter of AALNC, founded in 1990, was the second chapter formed under the new national organization. The Chapter was begun in support of AALNC’s mission, by providing networking opportunities, mentoring and support to nurses through professional development and education – a mission that is continued to this day.

___________________________________________________________

CONNECT WITH THE GREATER ORLANDO CHAPTER

Connect with us on LinkedIn