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[Organization of obstetric ultrasonography in Denmark 1995--description of the development since 1990]
1Dansk Institut for Klinisk Epidemiologi, København.
With the aim to provide an overview of the current organisational status of obstetric ultrasound in Denmark and to describe the development since 1990, a questionnaire was sent in spring 1995 to all 49 departments responsible for the hospital antenatal care program. In addition a questionnaire was sent to the 14 imaging diagnostic departments providing ultrasound services for those of the 49 departments that had either insufficient or no ultrasound facilities. The response rate was 100. Since 1986 the National Board of Health in Denmark has recommended not to screen. At the time of the study the issue was under consideration as part of a general revision of the antenatal care program. Obstetric ultrasound was performed in 30 obstetric, 11 surgical, 12 radiological, 1 image diagnostic and 1 ultrasound department. In total approx. 140,000 obstetric ultrasound examinations were performed in 1994 in contrast to approx. 120,000 in 1989. Fifty-one point four percent of the pregnant population was routinely offered an ultrasound scan in the 10-20th week of gestation (1990: 39.9%). For 19.5% the offer included screening for foetal malformations (1990: 16.5%). In total 34 departments, responsible for the antenatal care of 86.3% of the pregnant population, wanted to continue or start giving an offer of ultrasound screening. The study documents a significant technology diffusion process of ultrasound into the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology.
With the aim to provide an overview of the current organisational status of obstetric ultrasound in Denmark and to describe the development since 1990, a questionnaire was sent in spring 1995 to all 49 departments responsible for the hospital antenatal care program. In addition a questionnaire was sent to the 14 imaging diagnostic departments providing ultrasound services for those of the 49 departments that had either insufficient or no ultrasound facilities. The response rate was 100. Since 1986 the National Board of Health in Denmark has recommended not to screen. At the time of the study the issue was under consideration as part of a general revision of the antenatal care program. Obstetric ultrasound was performed in 30 obstetric, 11 surgical, 12 radiological, 1 image diagnostic and 1 ultrasound department. In total approx. 140,000 obstetric ultrasound examinations were performed in 1994 in contrast to approx. 120,000 in 1989. Fifty-one point four percent of the pregnant population was routinely offered an ultrasound scan in the 10-20th week of gestation (1990: 39.9%). For 19.5% the offer included screening for foetal malformations (1990: 16.5%). In total 34 departments, responsible for the antenatal care of 86.3% of the pregnant population, wanted to continue or start giving an offer of ultrasound screening. The study documents a significant technology diffusion process of ultrasound into the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology.