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Brightness Mode Quality Ultrasound Imaging Examination Technique (B‐QUIET)
Author(s) -
Bahner David P.,
Adkins Eric J.,
Nagel Rollin,
Way David,
Werman Howard A.,
Royall Nelson A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.2011.30.12.1649
Subject(s) - sonographer , medicine , ultrasound , image quality , reliability (semiconductor) , inter rater reliability , medical physics , radiology , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics) , statistics , power (physics) , rating scale , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Objectives Ultrasound image interpretation and education relies on obtaining a high‐quality ultrasound image; however, no literature exists to date attempting to define a high‐quality ultrasound image. The purpose of this study was to design and perform a pilot reliability study of the Brightness Mode Quality Ultrasound Imaging Examination Technique (B‐QUIET) method for ultrasound quality image assessment. Methods A single sonologist performed a Trinity hypotensive ultrasound protocol on 3 participants of varying body types. Each participant's ultrasound examination was repeated in 4 locations; static clinic location, mobile ambulance, airplane, and helicopter. Images were reviewed by a sonographer, radiologist, and emergency medicine physician using the B‐QUIET method and underwent statistical analysis using generalizability theory for reliability of the assessments using the tool. Results The B‐QUIET method showed high reliability of most subscale items. Approximately two‐thirds of the reviewed images had complete inter‐rater reliability on 90% of the items. There was relatively low inter‐rater reliability for the Identification/ Orientation subscale items. The inter‐rater reliability κ value was calculated as 0.676 overall for the method. Conclusions The need for a standardized method to evaluate the quality of an ultrasound image is well documented. The B‐QUIET method represents the first attempt to quantify the sonographer component of ultrasound images. Further reliability and validation studies of this method will be needed; however, it represents a tool for standardized ultrasound interpretation, ultrasound training, and institutional quality assessment.