Ultrasound assessment of first-trimester bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome (to the end of the first trimester) of pregnancies with vaginal bleeding and the influence of ultrasound-acquired information on care and cost of care.


METHODS
A chart review was performed of 1,240 patients receiving care at an integrated medical center for threatened abortion from 1998-2000. Records from 715 patients with adequate follow-up data were reviewed and outcomes studied. Charges for outpatient and inpatient care were obtained from the data warehouse.


RESULTS
Main findings include that on endovaginal ultrasonography, 44% of the pregnancies were viable, of which 86% continued to the end of the first trimester and that of the 33% of pregnancies that were nonviable, 74% successfully miscarried without intervention. Charges for the care varied significantly, based on outcome and choice of site of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovaginal ultrasonography for the evaluation of early pregnancy bleeding has a significant effect on care decisions and costs.


METHODS
II-3.
Schauberger
Charles W
CW
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, 1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA. cwschaub@gundluth.org
Mathiason
Michelle A
MA
Rooney
Brenda L
BL
D000033:Abortion, Threatened / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019160:Endosonography / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology