Limited obstetric ultrasound examinations: competency and cost.

Marilyn Stringer, Susan R. Miesnik, Linda P. Brown, Lynne Menei, George A. Macones

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine both the actual dollar cost and the amount of time required per nurse to establish competency in limited obstetric ultrasonography (LOBU). DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: A tertiary care setting. PARTICIPANTS: Registered nurses who were taught in LOBU. RESULTS: Nurses who attained competency in LOBU completed 12 hours of didactic education and a clinical practicum consisting of 6 to 9 hours and approximating 15 ultrasound scans. For five nurses to concurrently attain competency in LOBU, the cost per nurse was $1,037.55 (includes salaries and employee benefits). CONCLUSION: Registered nurses are able to acquire competency in LOBU at a reasonable cost, thus enhancing the ability of the professional nurse to deliver a fuller scope of services in an obstetric setting. For institutions that have limited access to individuals with this skill, nurses trained in LOBU may present a high-quality, cost-efficient solution to providing needed obstetric services.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-312
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN / NAACOG
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

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