Pilot Study of a Software-Supported Protocol for Second-Trimester Ultrasound Screening.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and impact of using a software-supported protocol for routine second-trimester ultrasound scanning.

Methods: We conducted a comparative observational study of 2 sets of 25 randomly selected normal routine second-trimester examinations performed by the same expert sonographer before and 1 year after the introduction of a software-supported protocol. The scanning protocol was identical during both periods and conformed to International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines. Two independent expert sonographers reviewed the temporal sequences of fetal anatomic visualization. The examination duration, number of images, time per stored image, and number of recorded anatomic features according to the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines were compared between the periods.

Results: The mean examination duration and the number of images stored ± SD were both significantly higher during the period with the software-supported protocol than during the previous period (18.9 ± 5.3 versus 15.3 ± 2.8 minutes, respectively; P = .005; and 52.0 ± 2.4 versus 35.2 ± 3.4; P < .001). The mean time per image was also shorter with the software-supported protocol (19 ± 7 versus 26 ± 4 seconds; P < .001). Recording of the placental location, amniotic fluid quantification, cavum septi pellucidi, thoracic shape, both kidneys, both arms, and genitalia was significantly more consistent with the software-supported protocol (P < .001; P = .001; P = .022; P = .050; P = .022; P < .001; and P = .048).

Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that a software-supported protocol standardizing image acquisition may improve operator efficiency during second-trimester ultrasound scans.