NYGH’s Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass Highlights Need for Streamlined Miscarriage Care in CMAJ Article

October 15, 2024

NYGH’s Dr. Modupe-Tunde Byass, OB-GYN, has co-authored a new review article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal about the need to streamline miscarriage care in Canada.

Publishing on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Dr. Tunde-Byass calls attention to how miscarriages are common (anywhere between 15 to 20 per cent of all confirmed early pregnancies result in miscarriage) and how these losses can be devastating for those involved.

“Providers should understand the psychological effect of early pregnancy loss and not underestimate compassion as a cornerstone of assessment, management, and follow up,” says Dr. Tunde-Byass.

Publishing alongside a separate editorial by Dr. Catherine Varner, an emergency physician and Associate Editor at the CMAJ, both authors recommend referral, where available, to outpatient early pregnancy assessment clinics (EPACs) staffed by health care professionals skilled in delivering comprehensive, compassionate care for this specific patient cohort.

Many pregnant people without symptoms of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy or major uterine hemorrhage seek care at an ED, which can mean long waits to see a health care provider in a waiting room chair.

Dr. Tunde-Byass notes how EPACs can improve patient experiences, and have been shown to improve clinical outcomes, reduce repeat assessments in the emergency department, and lead to improved patient satisfaction.

Read Dr. Tunde-Byass’ review article here.

Read. Dr. Catherine Varner’s editorial here.