Pregnancy Screening Strategies for Potentially Challenging Patients Before Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures: Qualitative Survey Analysis

Article Figures & Data

TABLE 1

Young Teenager Accompanied by Parent

Major theme	Subtheme	% (normalized to major theme)
1.1: Method of questioning (81%)	1.11: Ask away from parent	49
	1.12: Ask with parent present	15
	1.13: Ask parent directly	<1
	1.141: Same for all female patients, verbal question	18
	1.142: Same for all female patients, sign form	7
	1.15: Explain radiation risk	10
1.2: Subjective assessment (5%)	1.21: Assess parent–child relationship	25
	1.22: Assess response	65
	1.23: Assess maturity level	10
1.3: Determining risk of pregnancy (12%)	1.31: Question regarding LMP	38
	1.32: Question regarding start of menstruation	31
	1.33: Question regarding if sexually active	27
	1.34: Question regarding 10-d rule	4
1.4: Pregnancy testing (2%)	1.41: Pregnancy test	44
	1.42: Serum human chorionic gonadotropin	22
	1.43: Urine	33

TABLE 2

Unconscious or Heavily Sedated Patient

Major theme	Subtheme	% (normalized to major theme)
2.1: Method of obtaining information on pregnancy status (71%)	2.11: Consult patient notes	48
	2.12: Consult nurse/caregiver/doctor	27
	2.13: Consult partner/relative	18
	2.14: Ask patient	6
2.2: Pregnancy testing (14%)	2.21: Pregnancy test	23
	2.22: Serum human chorionic gonadotropin	62
	2.23: Urine	11
	2.24: Ultrasound	4
2.3: Unable to determine pregnancy status (13%)	2.31: Do not perform scan	27
	2.32: Postpone scan	42
	2.33: Refer to nuclear medicine physician	27
	2.34: Reduce radiation dose	3
2.4: Never been in this situation (2%)

TABLE 3

Patients with Language or Cultural Barrier

Major theme	Subtheme	% (normalized to major theme)
3.1: Method of questioning (91%)	3.11: Use interpreter/translator	67
	3.12: Use visual aids	27
	3.13: Speak slowly	1
	3.14: If cultural barrier, use female staff	2
	3.15: Same for all female patients	2
	3.16: Do not ask	<1
3.2: Pregnancy testing (4%)	3.21: Pregnancy test	40
	3.22: Serum human chorionic gonadotropin	47
	3.23: Urine	13
3.3: Unable to determine (4%)	3.31: Consult with doctor	38
	3.32: Postpone scan if patient does not understand	62
3.4: Determining risk of pregnancy (1%)	3.41: Question regarding LMP	50
	3.42: Question regarding contraception	25
	3.43: Question regarding sexual activity	25

TABLE 4

Patients with Mental Disability

Major theme	Subtheme	% (normalized to major theme)
4.1: Method of questioning (67%)	4.11: Ask patient (slowly, simple language)	26
	4.12: Ask caregiver/relative	50
	4.13: Ask nurse/doctor	11
	4.14: Consult notes	7
	4.15: Use visual aids	3
	4.16: Same for all female patients	2
	4.17: Do not ask	1
4.2: Determining risk of pregnancy (7%)	4.21: Question regarding LMP	38
	4.22: Question regarding contraception	26
	4.23: Question regarding if sexually active	35
4.3: Pregnancy testing (17%)	4.31: Pregnancy test	41
	4.32: Serum human chorionic gonadotropin	38
	4.33: Urine	21
4.4: Subjective assessment (7%)	4.41: Assume not sexually active	3
	4.42: Assess communication/understanding	97
4.5: Unable to determine (1%)	4.51: Do not perform scan	60
	4.52: Postpone scan	40