Paula M Castaño1, Carolyn L Westhoff2. 1. Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Electronic address: pc2137@columbia.edu. 2. Division of Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prescribing information for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system allows placement when the clinician is reasonably certain the patient is not pregnant. A 6 item checklist aids clinicians in determining pregnancy risk but may be too restrictive, resulting in delaying placement for many women. Same-day placement, however, may risk placement during an unrecognized luteal-phase pregnancy, that is, a preimplantation fertilized ovum not yet detectable by urine pregnancy test. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the applicability of pregnancy checklist criteria in 2 gynecology practices that routinely provide same-day placements following a negative urine pregnancy test. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed electronic medical records of all women who underwent levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system placement from July 2009 to August 2012. We evaluated each record to identify whether the woman met any of the checklist criteria to exclude pregnancy. We ascertained luteal-phase pregnancies and other outcomes within 12 months following placement. RESULTS: Of 885 placements, 293 (33%) were immediately after abortion. Of the remaining 592 placements, 353 (60%) met at least 1 pregnancy checklist criterion to rule out pregnancy but 239 (40%) met none. Two percent received levonorgestrel emergency contraception at the time of placement. One luteal-phase pregnancy occurred in the group not meeting pregnancy checklist criteria. Removals and expulsions were rare and similar whether or not patients met checklist criteria. CONCLUSION: In 2 practices that provide same-day intrauterine system placements, strict adherence to pregnancy checklist criteria would have resulted in 239 patients (40%) not receiving a same-day intrauterine system. Twelve month outcomes were similar whether or not patients met pregnancy checklist criteria. Providers need not withhold intrauterine system placement based on the pregnancy checklist criteria.
BACKGROUND: Prescribing information for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system allows placement when the clinician is reasonably certain the patient is not pregnant. A 6 item checklist aids clinicians in determining pregnancy risk but may be too restrictive, resulting in delaying placement for many women. Same-day placement, however, may risk placement during an unrecognized luteal-phase pregnancy, that is, a preimplantation fertilized ovum not yet detectable by urine pregnancy test. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the applicability of pregnancy checklist criteria in 2 gynecology practices that routinely provide same-day placements following a negative urine pregnancy test. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed electronic medical records of all women who underwent levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system placement from July 2009 to August 2012. We evaluated each record to identify whether the woman met any of the checklist criteria to exclude pregnancy. We ascertained luteal-phase pregnancies and other outcomes within 12 months following placement. RESULTS: Of 885 placements, 293 (33%) were immediately after abortion. Of the remaining 592 placements, 353 (60%) met at least 1 pregnancy checklist criterion to rule out pregnancy but 239 (40%) met none. Two percent received levonorgestrel emergency contraception at the time of placement. One luteal-phase pregnancy occurred in the group not meeting pregnancy checklist criteria. Removals and expulsions were rare and similar whether or not patients met checklist criteria. CONCLUSION: In 2 practices that provide same-day intrauterine system placements, strict adherence to pregnancy checklist criteria would have resulted in 239 patients (40%) not receiving a same-day intrauterine system. Twelve month outcomes were similar whether or not patients met pregnancy checklist criteria. Providers need not withhold intrauterine system placement based on the pregnancy checklist criteria.
Authors: David K Turok; Alexandra Gero; Rebecca G Simmons; Jennifer E Kaiser; Gregory J Stoddard; Corinne D Sexsmith; Lori M Gawron; Jessica N Sanders Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2021-01-28 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Kathryn E Fay; Amelia C Clement; Alexandra Gero; Jennifer E Kaiser; Jessica N Sanders; Abena A BakenRa; David K Turok Journal: Contraception Date: 2021-06-21 Impact factor: 3.051