Helping expectant mothers understand inadequate ultrasound images

Oates, Crispian
Taylor, Paula

¹Department of Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
²Department of Obstetrics, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

Crispian Oates, Department of Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK. Email: [email protected]

Received February 9, 2016

Accepted March 23, 2016

Ultrasound 24(3):p 142-146, August 2016. | DOI: 10.1177/1742271X16651901

Background

Obstetric ultrasound scans may fail to provide all the information that is needed because of poor visualisation. Two main causes of poor visualisation are addressed. These are poor foetal position and poor quality imaging due to beam distortion by overlying fatty tissue.

Method

To improve communication with patients attending obstetric scans, a poster and leaflet were designed to explain these causes of inadequate scans. A questionnaire was used to assess the value of the poster.

Results

57/66 (86%) questionnaires were completed. 52 (91%) found the information on the poster was helpful and well explained. For 8 (14%) the information changed their thoughts about the scan.

Conclusion

Clear communication aids the expectant mothers understanding of why scans may be suboptimal. The way this is recorded in the scan results is discussed.