RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Web-Based Quality Assurance Process Drives Improvements in Obstetric Ultrasound in 5 Low- and Middle-Income Countries
JF Global Health: Science and Practice
JO GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT
FD Johns Hopkins University- Global Health. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs
SP 675
OP 683
DO 10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00156
VO 4
IS 4
A1 Swanson, Jonathan O
A1 Plotner, David
A1 Franklin, Holly L
A1 Swanson, David L
A1 Lokomba Bolamba, Victor
A1 Lokangaka, Adrien
A1 Sayury Pineda, Irma
A1 Figueroa, Lester
A1 Garces, Ana
A1 Muyodi, David
A1 Esamai, Fabian
A1 Kanaiza, Nancy
A1 Mirza, Waseem
A1 Naqvi, Farnaz
A1 Saleem, Sarah
A1 Mwenechanya, Musaku
A1 Chiwila, Melody
A1 Hamsumonde, Dorothy
A1 McClure, Elizabeth M
A1 Goldenberg, Robert L
A1 Nathan, Robert O
YR 2016
UL http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/4/4/675.abstract
AB Newly trained sonographers improved performance through a quality assurance process that merged (1) evaluation by remote experts of images uploaded to a website, with (2) periodic in-person skill tests. To promote sustainability, in-country supervisors gradually assumed more responsibility for image evaluation. The user-friendly and efficient interface used simple menus and forms, customized based on the user's role.High quality is important in medical imaging, yet in many geographic areas, highly skilled sonographers are in short supply. Advances in Internet capacity along with the development of reliable portable ultrasounds have created an opportunity to provide centralized remote quality assurance (QA) for ultrasound exams performed at rural sites worldwide. We sought to harness these advances by developing a web-based tool to facilitate QA activities for newly trained sonographers who were taking part in a cluster randomized trial investigating the role of limited obstetric ultrasound to improve pregnancy outcomes in 5 low- and middle-income countries. We were challenged by connectivity issues, by country-specific needs for website usability, and by the overall need for a high-throughput system. After systematically addressing these needs, the resulting QA website helped drive ultrasound quality improvement across all 5 countries. It now offers the potential for adoption by future ultrasound- or imaging-based global health initiatives.