Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025
A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Self-Determination of Eligibility for Medication Abortion Without Ultrasonography Using a History-Based Tool:
Courtney Kerestes1, Mary Tschann, Marit Pearlman Shapiro
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawai'i; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai'i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, Seattle, Washington; and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
A new screening tool, LMP-SURE, can safely identify patients eligible for medication abortion, reducing the need for ultrasounds. This history-based tool accurately assesses eligibility, improving access to reproductive care.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Medical Screening Tools
- Pharmacological Abortion
Background:
- Ultrasound dating is a standard but resource-intensive step in medication abortion eligibility.
- Minimizing unnecessary procedures can improve patient access and reduce healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy and safety of a novel self-screening tool (LMP-SURE) for medication abortion eligibility.
- To determine if LMP-SURE can effectively replace ultrasonogram for initial eligibility assessment.
Main Methods:
- A five-question patient-administered tool (LMP-SURE) was developed to assess gestational age and risk factors for misdating or ectopic pregnancy.
- Participants (n=781) from family planning clinics in four US states completed the LMP-SURE tool without prior ultrasonograms.
- Eligibility determined by LMP-SURE was compared against ultrasonogram dating via chart review.
Main Results:
- The LMP-SURE tool identified 65.1% of participants as eligible for medication abortion without an ultrasonogram.
- Sensitivity was 83.8% and specificity was 70.0% for identifying eligible patients.
- Only 1.5% of patients deemed eligible by LMP-SURE were found ineligible by ultrasonogram, with most cases due to gestational age >77 days or ectopic pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- The LMP-SURE tool is a safe and effective patient-facing method for initial medication abortion eligibility screening.
- This tool has the potential to significantly reduce the reliance on ultrasonograms, streamlining the abortion care pathway.
- History-based self-screening offers a viable alternative for improving access to early abortion services.
