An integrated software system for quality assurance-related kappa coefficient analysis of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography interpretive skills.
This report describes the development of a quality assurance-oriented integrated software system designed for an anesthesiology-based intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography service. Entry data include patient and operation demographics, two-dimensional echocardiographic, saline-contrast, and color flow/pulsed Doppler assessments of the heart and great vessels, presented in a defined sequence. A statistical analysis component (kappa coefficient analysis) allows for comparison of intraoperative real-time interpretations with laboratory interpretations made by experienced full-time echocardiographers on a field-by-field basis. This provides a means of quantifying expertise in each individual aspect of the patient examination sequence. We believe that such self-appraisal data are essential for delineating the status and tracking the progress of service being provided.
Rafferty
T
T
Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Edwards
B
B
Judd
J
J
Swamy
V
V
Workman
R
R
Lippmann
H
H
Harris
S
S
Cohen
I
I
Prokop
E
E
Ezekowitz
M
M
D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software