The functioning of a short-stay emergency gynaecological unit

Admissions to a small constantly staffed emergency gynaecological unit over a two month period are reported. Of 408 patients seen, 230 were in hospital for less than 36 hours and of these 128 were not admitted to a hospital ward. Of a yearly total of 2000 emergency admissions about 1000 did not need admission to a hospital ward. Full staffing of such a unit for 24 hours each day would thus allow a considerable number of beds to be released for elective work. The referring diagnosis of incomplete abortion proved to be incorrect in 100 of 203 patients. Clinical features and management in these patients are discussed. Pain is an unreliable guide, but opening of the cervix is not often seen unassociated with incomplete abortion.