IngentaConnect A Structured Audit Tool of Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation Rep...

Abstract:

Quality initiatives in clinical practice are important in improving patient care, providing cost-effective management, and enhancing communication and collaboration among health care professionals. Such initiatives can be based on available practice and protocol guidelines, credentialing processes, and accreditation programs and standards. The application of defined study protocols by well-trained and credentialed personnel, using appropriate ultrasound equipment and reported in a thorough and consistent fashion, should result in high-quality, clinically useful studies.

The interpretation report of an imaging facility is recognized as the "product" of the diagnostic test. It is important that it be structured to serve as both a documented output from the test and a communication tool to the referring and other physicians. The interpretation report relies on a high-quality, complete technical study, appropriate interpretation guidelines, and a qualified reporting physician. Various societies and agencies have developed and published guidelines that establish the standards for interpretation reports of diagnostic testing. These guidelines can be used as the basis for quality initiatives.

The performance of a vascular diagnostic facility can be defined by the quality of the output as measured by the test interpretation report. Assuming that adequate equipment is used, technical protocols are appropriate and skilled technologists are performing the tests, the interpretation report may not reflect high-quality output. Even with an awareness of available standards, the day-to-day performance of individual interpreting practitioner may not reflect the recommendations for high quality studies. This short-coming may not be recognized or clearly defined if recognized. Audit tools are helpful to objectively define performance gaps in clinical practice; these gaps may not be recognized otherwise. Self-assessment through reflection and addressing such gaps is intuitive in professional practice and can lead to appropriate professional development strategies for improvement. If an objective scoring system is applied to the audit, repeated audits can demonstrate and quantitate quality improvement. The aims of this study were to develop a structured audit tool of vascular ultrasound interpretation reports for use in self-assessment, quality assurance and objective scoring in clinical vascular ultrasound practice.

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A Structured Audit Tool of Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation Reports: A Quality Initiative