Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the endometrial cavity in a location such as the fallopian tube, ovary, abdominal peritoneum, uterine cornua/tubal isthmus, cesarean scar, or cervix. Rupture of an ectopic pregnancy can cause significant morbidity, and it accounted for 2.7% of maternal deaths in 2011 to 2013.[1] Due to increased use of assisted reproductive technology and increased prevalence of pelvic surgeries, older maternal age, and pelvic and intraabdominal infections, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy has risen in the United States from 0.4% in 1970 to 2.0% of all pregnancies in 1992.[2] Because up to 18% of women presenting to the emergency department with first-trimester bleeding and/or pain have ectopic pregnancies,[3] OB/GYN hospitalists are in a position to have a major role in caring for these patients. OB/GYN hospitalists can lead their institutions in the development of protocols for the management of patients identified at risk for ectopic pregnancy.
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