New OPA for Pregnant Patients in ED

Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
  • New OPA for Pregnant Patients in ED
As of January 27, 2026, a new Our Practice Advisory (OPA; previously Best Practice Advisory) will fire for patients >20 weeks pregnant presenting in the ED, indicating a recommendation to order an Obstetrics consult. This change is in response to multiple patient safety events with negative outcomes across Alberta following pregnant people presenting to the ED with non-obstetrical issues, due to lack of recognition of the impact of the associated pregnancy. 
  • The OPA will take into account whether the ED has an Obstetrical provider onsite or not, and will present the relevant available order (click the camera icon to see screenshots).
  • The OPA will allow override with reasons that include "Not pregnant or < 20 weeks", "Pt refused", "Defer 15 minutes", and "Not indicated". A “Set Dispo: Send to L&D” reason will also be available for sites that have Obstetrics coverage.
  • Obstetrical providers who have been consulted can determine if an in-person assessment, an outpatient assessment, or no assessment is required (via initial phone discussion). This should be documented within the consultation record per standard practice. 
The Women's Health Clinical Systems Improvement team will be monitoring consultation volumes. Please inform your Provincial Medical Informatics Lead (PMIL) regarding concerns of inappropriate consults or excessive volume.