Triage of the obstetrics patient in the emergency department: is there only one patient?

Triage of the obstetrics patient in the emergency department: is there only one patient?

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Contributor(s):
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2008
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Communication
Emergency Medical Services
Interdepartmental Relations
Obstetrics
Triage
Pennsylvania
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
PA-PSRS has received a number of reports related to the management of pregnant patients in the emergency department. In many instances, reports submitted through PA-PSRS reflect a lack of effective communication between emergency and obstetrics department staff. When a pregnant patient arrives at the emergency department, there are really two patients. Optimal care of both patients can only be achieved through a systematic approach to care that involves open communication between emergency and obstetric services. Risk reduction strategies include having policy and procedures in place that ensure a systematic approach to the triage and initial assessment of the pregnant patient with consideration of the presenting complaint, gestational age, availability of testing and consultants, and fetal monitoring requirements.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
NLM Unique ID:
101570071 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101570071