EP16.19: An ultrasound admission test provides valuable information about pregnant women evaluated in the triage unit.

To evaluate an ultrasound (US) test at admission for pregnant women presenting at the triage unit. A total of 381 pregnant women at (median) 36 weeks (IQR: 29–38 weeks) of gestation were evaluated by US in the triage area. The US admission test assessed: (A) amniotic fluid, (B) blood hemodynamics (uterine and umbilical artery), (C) cervix, (D) determination of placental location, and (E) estimated fetal weight (EFW). Information obtained from the admission test was not provided to the clinicians and was not used for clinical management. Clinical outcomes were recorded in all cases. The average duration of the US test at admission was 20 minutes (range: 12–37). Each individual US parameter provided significant information to establish the clinical diagnosis. Reduced amniotic fluid was significantly associated with a further confirmation of rupture of the membranes (p = 0.04); an increased mean uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) with low birthweight (BW) (p = 0.006); an increased umbilical artery PI with Caesarean section for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (p = 0.01) and low birthweight (p = 0.003); cervical length with the interval to delivery (p = 0.002); the visualisation of placental location excluding the presence of placenta previa; and a low EFW was associated with Caesarean section for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (p = 0.01) and low birthweight (p = 0.001). A rapid US admission test can provide valuable information for the clinical management of obstetric patients evaluated in the triage area. The US findings can be associated with the risk of the following outcomes: preterm delivery, rupture of the membranes, Caesarean section for fetal distress, and low birthweight, excluding the risk of abnormal placentation.