Richard Gary Barr MD, PhD, Presenter: Consultant, Siemens AG Consultant, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV Grant, Bracco Group Grant, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Cynthia L Peterson, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate if Native Tissue Equilization (NTEQ) decreases exam time and number of keystrokes while maintaining or improving image quality. To determine if these variable vary with sonographer experience.

Five sonographers of varing experience performed a standard abdominal ultrasound examination on five normal volunteer patients. The sonographers scanned each patient twice, once with manual technique and once with NTEQ. The examinations were randomized and at least four other patients were scanned before the second examination was performed. Patients were keep fasting between the two examinations. The time to perform the examinations was calculated from the first to the last image. The number of images obtained was recorded. A keystroke log was maintained for all examinations allowing for number of keys utilized during the examination. The images were stored digitally for review and image analysis.

The average time of the manual examination was 9:43+/-2:00 min (range 6:11-13:26) while the NTEQ exam was 8:47+/-1:32 min (range 5:56-12:14), p=0.005. The number of images per exam was 46.08=/-9.6 for manual technique and 45.24=/-10.3 for NTEQ, p>0.05. This corresponds to a overall 9.6% decrease in scanning time. The individual sonographer decreases in scanning time were 0.0%, 5.6%, 10.5%, 14.9% and 15.0% from most experienced to least experienced. The average number of key strokes using NTEQ technique was 767.3+/-221 while for Manual technique was 975.1+/-251. An average decrease of 208 keystrocks per exam (21.3% decrease, p=0.0022)when NTEQ is used. Overall image quality was judged visually to be at least equivalent. Comparison of differences based on ROIs will be presented.

NTEQ provided on average a 9.6% decrease in image scan time and a 21.3% decrease in keystrokes. The decrease in scanning appears to be correlated to scanning experience with decrease in scanning time larger in less experienced sonographers.

Scanning time and number of keystrokes are related to repeatative stress injury. Less keystrokes required during an examination allow for sonographer to assume a more ergonomic posture.

Barr, R, Peterson, C, Native Tissue Equalization: Time Savings, Keystroke Savings, and Image Quality.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4432407.html