Abstract

We explored national trends in incidence, management and outcomes of ectopic pregnancy hospitalisations in all acute maternity hospitals in Ireland during 2005-2016. We included 12,098 women in the study. The rate of hospitalisation for ectopic pregnancy increased over the 12-year study period while there was an improvement in the rates of blood transfusion and length of stay over two days. Women of advanced maternal age had a higher risk of hospitalisation for ectopic pregnancy. Women who had invasive surgical treatments for ectopic pregnancy had a higher risk of blood transfusion and length of stay over two days compared to women who had minimally invasive surgical treatment. Conversely, women who underwent medical management rarely had a blood transfusion. More research is needed to explore the patterns of care and clinical indications at both outpatient and inpatient settings in order to improve protocols of management and the care provided.