Community-based obstetrical ultrasound reports: documentation of compliance with suggested minimum standards

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of documented compliance of community-based ultrasound reports with suggested standards/guidelines for basic ultrasound examinations as published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). First trimester reports from obstetric offices (n = 20) had complete compliance with ACOG guidelines in 35% and AIUM standards in 15% of the cases (p = NS). Radiological reports (n = 26) had complete compliance with ACOG guidelines in 11.5% and AIUM standards in 3.9% of the cases (p = NS). None of the second/third trimester reports from either the obstetrical offices (n = 35) or from radiological facilities (n = 94) had complete compliance with either ACOG or AIUM standards/guidelines. Ultrasound reports generated by community-based obstetricians and radiologists from our referral sources demonstrate significant omissions in documentation of components suggested by AIUM and ACOG for minimum standards of basic ultrasound examinations.