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Preoperative pregnancy testing: a survey of current practice
1Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Lawton, OK 73505, USA.
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
|November 5, 1997
Summary
Most anesthesiologists do not mandate preoperative pregnancy testing, despite recognizing it as child abuse in minors. Reporting practices vary, with rare police notification even in clear cases.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Obstetrics
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Preoperative testing protocols are evolving.
- Pregnancy recognition in surgical patients is critical.
- Legal and ethical considerations surround adolescent pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate current practices in preoperative pregnancy testing.
- To understand anesthesiologists' opinions on pregnancy recognition and its consequences.
- To assess reporting behaviors regarding adolescent pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous questionnaire survey.
- Distributed to physicians attending the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology meeting.
- 169 anesthesiologists responded.
Main Results:
- One-third of anesthesiologists mandated pregnancy testing.
- Routine testing was more common for elective than emergency surgeries.
- Most recognized adolescent pregnancy as child abuse but rarely reported it to police.
Conclusions:
- Patient history is the primary method for identifying pregnancy.
- Mandatory screening programs are used by less than one-third of anesthesiologists.
- Positive pregnancy tests in minors are seldom reported to law enforcement despite legal obligations.
