Biosafety of Sonography: Survey of Current Knowledge and Practice Patterns in Obstetrics Providers

Sonography is routinely performed in obstetrics. For safety purposes, intensity-output displays are included in all ultrasound machines. There are few studies performed on provider understanding of ultrasound safety. We sought to assess obstetrics providers' level of knowledge on ultrasound biosafety before and after educational intervention.

This is a cross-sectional study using survey research to examine the knowledge of obstetrics providers performing sonography. The study included faculty, fellows, and residents in obstetrics and gynecology and family medicine, and certified nurse midwives. After completion of the initial survey, subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 educational interventions. The interventions included reading an article, watching an educational video, or viewing a PowerPoint presentation. After completing the intervention, subjects answered a post-intervention survey.

A total of 138 responses were received from the initial survey. Fifty-eight individuals completed the intervention and post-intervention survey. Across all levels of training and practice, before intervention, 70% of providers indicated that they did not recognize output display standard functions. Of the 58 individuals who completed the intervention and both surveys, all knowledge-based questions resulted in statistically significant improvements in scores.

Sonography is increasingly used in the obstetric setting, and it is essential that providers and trainees understand the risks of the procedures they perform. Our data suggests a need for improved education on ultrasound safety. Improvement in scores on the post-intervention knowledge assessment suggests that the educational interventions used may be beneficial in enhancing provider understanding of obstetric ultrasound safety.