Novice Accuracy in Ultrasound and Stethoscope Study (NAUSS).

Abstract

The purpose of this noninferiority study was the accurate determination of valvular heart disease, using bedside echocardiogram as compared to stethoscope, by a novice clinician examiner. We conducted a single university, single program study to investigate the use of bedside ultrasound in the hands of a novice clinical user, defined as someone with fewer than 2 years of clinical education. We enrolled 8 examinees with evidence of valvular heart disease to be assessed by 13 subjects. Descriptive statistics revealed echocardiogram accuracy of 56% compared to 44% accuracy with stethoscope, though not statistically significant. Interestingly, 31% of subjects obtained equal measures with both instruments. Correlation proficiency between both modalities was also observed. There is no statistically significant difference in novice examiner diagnostic accuracy using point-of-care echocardiograms for examination of valvular heart disease when compared with a stethoscope.