Real-time Quality Control of Nuchal Translucency Measurements Using the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Chart

0534859 - ÚI 2022 RIV HK eng J - Journal Article
Hynek, M. - Zvárová, Jana - Smetanová, D. - Stejskal, D. - Kalina, Jan
Real-time Quality Control of Nuchal Translucency Measurements Using the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Chart.
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Roč. 60, č. 1 (2021), s. 84-89. ISSN 1028-4559
Institutional support: RVO:67985807
Keywords : Nuchal translucency * Statistical quality control * Exponentially weighted moving average chart * First trimester * Ultrasound
OECD category: Statistics and probability
Impact factor: 1.944, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access

OBJECTIVE: The establishment of ongoing audits for first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) measurements is of paramount importance. The exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart has been published as an efficient tool for NT quality control with the advantages of being suitable for real-time long-term monitoring. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of real-time NT quality control using EWMA charts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an ongoing prospective study conducted from January 2011 to December 2017 at the Centre for Fetal Medicine Gennet in Prague. The quality of NT measurements was assessed using the NT retrospective distribution parameters and EWMA charts, and the results were presented to the sonographers during collective meetings. RESULTS: Overall, 28,928 NT measurements obtained from six sonographers were eligible for the study. Looking at individual EWMA charts, we observed four main outcomes. First, there was a clear improvement in the performance of sonographers with initially poor performances. Second, the performance of sonographers with an initially satisfactory quality was maintained. Third, there was an observed deterioration of the performance without the audits. Last, the sonographers appreciated an unequivocal and straightforward graphical presentation of EWMA curves. CONCLUSION: EWMA proved to be an efficient and suitable tool for real-time monitoring of NT quality and led to an overall improvement of the sonographers’ performance.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0313018