Comparing Time to Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy Based on Type of Ultrasound Performed: A Retrospective Inquiry

Hemorrhage from ruptured ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of first trimester mortality in North America. Our objective was to compare patients with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy who had an emergency department (ED) point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) with those who received a radiology department-performed ultrasound (RADUS). Four time intervals were measured: ED arrival to ultrasound interpretation, obstetric consultation, operating room (OR) arrival, and ultrasound interpretation to OR arrival. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with ruptured ectopic pregnancy seen between February 2012 and September 2018 at an urban tertiary care hospital. Patients who received an ultrasound in the ED, went directly to the OR, and had confirmed rupture were included. Of 262 patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy during the study period, 36 (14%) were ruptured and 32 were enrolled. Comparing times between PoCUS (n = 10) and RADUS (n = 22) groups, the mean time from ED arrival to ultrasound interpretation was 15 vs. 138 min (difference 123, 95% confidence interval [CI] 88–158), from ED arrival to obstetric consultation was 35 vs. 150 min (difference 115, 95% CI 59–171), from ED arrival to OR arrival was 160 vs. 381 min (difference 222, 95% CI 124–320), and from ultrasound interpretation to OR arrival was 145 vs. 243 min (difference 98, 95% CI 12–184). ED patients with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy who received a PoCUS first had shorter times to diagnosis, obstetric consultation, and OR arrival compared with those who received RADUS.