Abstract
ObjectiveTo present a quantitative system for assessing the quality of ultrasound examinations-SQUALUS-and to determine its reproducibility, taking into consideration the images on file, as well as the consistency between the images obtained and the final report.Materials and MethodsThe system includes questions related to the number of images; the appropriateness of images in relation to the protocol established; focus adjustment; depth; gain; and appropriateness of the measurements for B-mode examinations. For Doppler examinations, the system includes questions related to the appropriateness of color images, the spectral analysis, and correction of the insonation angle. To assess the quality of the report, the system includes questions related to the consistency between the images obtained and the contents of the report. An overall numerical score was assigned by averaging the scores for image quality and for the contents of the report. Two independent examiners, each blinded to the evaluation of the other, assessed 30 different types of ultrasound examinations.ResultsThere was statistically significant agreement between the two examiners for 8 of the 10 questions related to image quality. For the questions related to the quality of the reports, the interexaminer agreement was almost perfect.ConclusionThe proposed quantitative system for assessing the quality of ultrasound examinations is a reproducible tool that can be used in audits and accreditation programs.
Highlights
There is real concern about the quality of medical services in Brazil
We used a checklist based on the PADI and CNUS/CBR regulations[2,3], taking into consideration the technical parameters proposed by the American College of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine[10]
The almost perfect agreement between the evaluators for the mean image quality scores, the report scores, and the final mean scores of the examinations demonstrates that the method is reproducible
Summary
There is real concern about the quality of medical services in Brazil. The National Health Insurance Agency of the Brazilian National Ministry of Health has developed de Radiologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (InRad/HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Received February 11, 2017. Iared W et al / Reproducibility of the SQUALUS norms and standards, such as the Program for the Dissemination of Health Insurance Provider Qualifications, established by Normative Resolution no. 267 of August 24, 2011, and the Program for Monitoring the Quality of Health Insurance Providers, established by Normative Resolution no. Those programs promote the quality of providers focused on beneficiaries. The programs are in line with the efforts of the Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem (CBR, Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging) in its Programa de Acreditação em Diagnósticos por Imagem (PADI, Program for the Accreditation of Diagnostic Imaging Clinics), as well as in its quality certification programs[2,3]
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