[Skills assessment for the practice of fetal ultrasound biometry: Prospective validation of the OSAUS METHOD score]. / Évaluation des compétences pour la pratique de la biométrie échographique fœtale : validation prospective du score OSAUS METHOD.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a customized variant for fetal biometry of the generic OSAUS score (Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills) METHODS: The 5-points OSAUS METHOD grid was elaborated by defining five target skills specific to fetal biometry for each thematic item of the generic score. The level of skills of 43 trainees was prospectively assessed during an ultrasound examination by using this grid. The results of the "novice" level group (experience<10 ultrasounds) were compared to those of the "intermediate" level group (experience≥10 ultrasounds) (I). The reached/non-reached skills ratio within the different items composing the score allowed the identification of priority areas of improvement (II). Previously published distribution and actual distribution of ratings according to the generic pass/fail score were compared (III). RESULTS: Median scores of "novices" (n=29) and "intermediates" (n=14) groups were statistically different, 1.87 (±0.75) and 3.31 (±0.83) (P=1.85-5), respectively and corresponded to the pre-existing experience (I). A lower ratio of reached skill allowed the identification of "documentation of the examination" item as a priority area of improvement for both groups (II). The relevance of the pass/fail score is consolidated, even if an overlap was observed between novices and intermediates groups (III). CONCLUSIONS: The relevancy and feasibility of using OSAUS scoring method for fetal biometry are supported. In addition, the possibility of comparisons with generic OSAUS remains.

Fetal biometry in ultrasound: A new approach to assess the long-term impact of simulation on learning patterns.

CONTEXT: Simulation-based education (SBE) has demonstrated its acceptability and effectiveness in improving ultrasound training. Because of the high cost of its implementation (investment in equipment and supervision), a pragmatic assessment of the transfer of skills learned in SBE to clinical practice and the identification of its optimal scheduling conditions have been requested to optimize its input. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the long-term impact of simulation-based education (SBE) on the adequate performance of ultrasound fetal biometry measurements (I). The secondary objective was to identify the temporal patterns that enhanced SBE input in learning (II). METHODS: Trainees were arbitrarily assigned to a 6-month course in obstetric ultrasound with or without an SBE workshop. In the SBE group, the workshop was implemented 'before' or at an 'early' or a 'late-stage' of the course. Those who did not receive SBE were the control group. The ultrasound skills of all trainees were prospectively collected, evaluated by calculating the delta between OSAUS (Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills) scores before and after the course (I). Concomitantly, the accuracy of trainees' measurements was assessed throughout the course by verifying their correlation with the corresponding measurements by their supervisors. The percentage of trainees able to perform five consecutive sets of correct measurements in the control group and in each SBE subgroup were compared (II). RESULTS: The study included 61 trainees (39 SBE and 22 controls). Comparisons between groups showed no significant difference in the quantitative assessment of skill enhancement (difference in the pre- and post-internship OSAUS score: 1.09 ± 0.87 in the SBE group and 0.72 ± 0.98 in the control group) (I). Conversely, the predefined acceptable skill level was reached by a significantly higher proportion of trainees in the 'early' SBE subgroup (74%, compared with 30% in the control group, P<0.01)(II). CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative assessment does not support the existence of long-term benefits from SBE training, although the qualitative assessment confirmed SBE helped to raise the minimal level within a group when embedded in an 'early' stage of a practical course.

Prospective assessment of reproducibility of three-dimensional ultrasound for fetal biometry.

PURPOSE: To compare fetal ultrasound measurements performed by two observers with different levels of experience and evaluate the potential contribution of the use of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound on repeatability, reproducibility and agreement of two-dimensional (2D) and 3D-derived measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two observers (one senior and one junior) measured head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) in 33 fetuses (20 to 40 weeks of gestation). Each observer performed two series of 2D measurements and two series of 3D measurements (i.e., measurements derived from triplane volume processing). Measurements were converted into Z-scores according to gestational age. Variability between the different series of measurements was studied using Bland-Altmann plots and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: Agreement with the 2D measurements of the senior observer was higher in 3D than in 2D for the junior observer (systematic differences of -0.4, -0.2 and -0.8 Z-score vs. -0.1, -0.1 and -0.6 for HC, AC and FL on 2D and 3D datasets, respectively). The use of 3D ultrasound improved junior observer repeatability (ICC=0.94, 0.88, 0.90 vs. 0.94, 0.94 and 0.96 for HC, AC and FL in 2D and 3D, respectively). The reproducibility was greater using the junior observer 3D datasets (ICC=0.75, 0.60 and 0.45 vs. 0.79, 0.89 and 0.63 for HC, AC and FL, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of 3D ultrasound improves the consistency of the measurements performed by a junior observer and increases the overall repeatability and reproducibility of measurements performed by observers with different levels of experience.

[Training in fetal ultrasound biometry: Prospective assesment of Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills (OSAUS) efficiency]. / Apprentissage de la biométrie échographique fœtale : évaluation prospective de la performance de l'Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills (OSAUS).

BACKGROUND: Fetal biometry quality directly influences obstetrical care relevance. However, obstetrician proficiencies are heterogeneous in particular during initial training. OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive value of OSAUS scale to identify operators with enough command to perform a valid estimation of fetal weight (EFW) (I). This study also assesses OSAUS intra-operator inter-exams variability (II) and pass/fail score relevancy (III). METHODS: Lecturers in Nancy University Hospital assessed trainees' proficiency for EWF systematically and prospectively through OSAUS scale. The trainee assessment was performed right after the one of the senior operator (reference EFW) on three consecutive patients during standard care ultrasounds. To ensure variability in proficiency within the sample, previous practice was taken into account during enrollment ("novices" and "intermediates" for<20 and 20 past exams, respectively). Correlation between mean OSAUS and validity of EFW (a valid EFW was defined by a difference with the reference EWF<0.8 Z-score) and variability between consecutive assessments were assessed. RESULTS: The study population was constituted of 8 "novice" and 8 "intermediate" trainees. Association between OSAUS and EFW validity was significant (P<0.03) (I). Intra-operator inter-exams variability was majored in the "novice" group (coefficients of variation were 25% vs. 10% in "novice" and "intermediate" group respectively) (II). Within the sample, specificity and positive predictive value of a pass/fail score OSAUS>3.5 to predict EFW validity were 77% and 71%, respectively (III). CONCLUSION: A 3.5 OSAUS pass/fail score could provide a relevant threshold to estimate operator proficiency in assessing fetal biometry in an autonomous and secure way.

Artificial intelligence assistance for fetal head biometry: Assessment of automated measurement software.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of artificial intelligence software (Smartplanes®) to automatically identify the transthalamic plane from 3D ultrasound volumes and to measure the biparietal diameter (BPD) and head circumference (HC) in fetus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty fetuses were evaluated at 17-30 weeks' gestation. For each fetus two three-dimensional (3D) volumes of the fetal head along with one conventional two-dimensional (2D) image of the transthalamic plane were prospectively acquired. The Smartplanes® software identified the transthalamic plane from the 3D volumes and performed BPD and HC measurements automatically (3D auto). Two experienced sonographers also measured BPD and HC from 2D images and from the 3D volumes. Measurements were compared using Bland-Altman plots. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate intra- and interobserver reproducibility. RESULTS: For each series of measurements, intra- and interobserver reproducibility rates were high with ICC values>0.98. The 95% confidence intervals between the BPD measurements were 2mm (3D versus 2D) and 4mm (3D auto versus 2D) and the HC measurements were 7.5mm (3D versus 2D) and 11mm (3D auto versus 2D). CONCLUSION: Fetal head measurements obtained automatically by Smartplanes® software from 3D volumes show good agreement with those obtained by two experienced sonographers from conventional 2D images and 3D volumes. The reproducibility of these measurements is similar to that observed by experienced sonographers.

Epidemiology of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant community-acquired Enterobacteria isolated from elderly patients.

AIMS: This survey was made to study the epidemiology of multiresistant bacteria (MRB) in the French community, among elderly patients 65 years of age or more, carrying third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-resistant) Enterobacteriaceae, and the co-resistance of prescribed antibiotics. METHODS: The data was collected in 2009 in the West of France by MedQual, a network of 174 private laboratories. RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred and sixty strains of the 88,255 identified Enterobacteria strains were 3GC-resistant (2.4%) and 945 of these strains (41.8%) were isolated from elderly patients 65 years of age or more. Escherichia coli was the predominant 3GC-resistant strain (72.7%). 51.4% of the 945 patients in whom a 3GC-resistant strain was isolated produced an extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL). The main risk factors for infection with the 3GC-resistant strain were hospitalization and antibiotic treatment in the previous year (58.2 and 86.9%, respectively). Hospitalization during the previous year was more frequent among elderly patients who lived at home compared with those who lived in nursing homes (P<0.05). The production of ESBL, among the 945 patients who carried the 3GC-resistant strains, was similar among patients who lived at home compared with those who lived in nursing homes (51.4% versus 49.7%). CONCLUSION: Microbiologists should warn family physicians about MRB isolates with a specific antimicrobial resistance pattern (3GC-resistant, fluoroquinolone-resistant, etc.) to prescribe more effective medications.

Susceptibility to the main antibiotics of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains identified in community acquired infections in France (MedQual, 2004-2007).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility of bacterial strains identified in community-acquired infections. Surveillance was made by a network of 32 medical analysis laboratories in the five departments of the French Region "Pays de la Loire". METHODS: All Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains isolated in these laboratories over a 4-year period, from January 2004 to December 2007, were included in the investigation. RESULTS: Eighty-four thousand and twenty-nine strains were collected: 90.6% of E. coli and 9.4% of S. aureus. E. coli isolates were mainly isolated from urine (97.2%). S. aureus isolates were more frequently isolated from pus (42.30%), from urinary samples (19.53%), or genital tract samples (14.36%). This study confirms the worrying E. coli evolution of resistance to quinolones. Indeed, during the study period, ofloxacin or norfloxacin susceptibility decreased gradually and the susceptibility rate to ciprofloxacin decreased slightly during and after 2006 (94.01% in 2005; 92.81% in 2006, and 91.62% in 2007). One thousand four hundred and thirty-five methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains were isolated. We observed a decrease of resistance to oxacillin: 20.73% in 2004 and 16.65% in 2006 (p<0.01). In 2007, this resistance to oxacillin seemed to increase (18.26%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirms the serious need to monitor transmission of these strains between community and hospitals. A better knowledge of the epidemiological behavior of these BMR will contribute to better-adapted antibiotics strategies.