In a stable pregnant patient, if the focused EP pelvic ultrasound with a compact system reveals a viable IUP, no radiology ultrasound is necessary. The more complete examination must be performed by an appropriately trained individual, be it an emergency physician, ultrasonographer, or an ob-gyn consultant, if the EP pelvic ultrasound does not reveal a viable IUP. A comprehensive consultative ultrasound in radiology with a cart-based system would be indicated. In the unstable pregnant patient, if the EP pelvic ultrasound reveals significant free fluid in the abdomen in the absence of an IUP, emergent OB intervention is required.

Dr. Bailitz is ACEP Ultrasound Section Chair Elect, director of the division of emergency ultrasound at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and associate professor of emergency medicine at Rush University Medical School in Chicago. Dr. Ferre is director of the emergency ultrasound division, program director of the emergency ultrasound fellowship, and assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Geria is clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and faculty and ultrasound director at Brunswick Urgent Care in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. Lewiss is director of point-of-care ultrasound and associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. Dr. Nomura is director of the emergency ultrasound fellowship at Christiana Care Health System in Newark, Delaware. Dr. Raio is chairman of the department of emergency medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, New York, and past chair of the ACEP Ultrasound Section. Dr. Tarleton is emergency ultrasound director at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Tayal is chief of the division of emergency ultrasound in the department of emergency medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reference

1. Ridley EL. ACR 2015: Bedside US may not capture whole picture in ER. AuntMinnie.com website. Accessed Oct. 9, 2015.