The Accuracy of Sonographers' Reports in a High‐Risk Obstetric Service: Is the Input of Radiologists Necessary?

Introduction: Sonographers demonstrate high accuracy in the interpretation and independent reporting of diagnostic ultrasound examinations. This raises important questions about whether sonographers need to be routinely supervised by radiologists. The aim of this study was to compare obstetric reports independently issued by sonographers with final reports issued by radiologists in a large tertiary teaching hospital. Methods: This study was a retrospective sequential review of obstetric ultrasound reports on high‐risk antenatal clinic patients and obstetric inpatients between 19 August 2024 and 11 October 2024. Sonographers performed the required examinations and independently issued their reports directly to clinicians. At a later time, radiologists reviewed the sonographers' reports and authorised final reports. Any differences between the sonographers' and radiologists' reports were analyzed. Results: Of the 650 reports issued by sonographers, 269 (41%) contained abnormal findings, most commonly abnormal growth, fluid volume, or Doppler parameters. Radiologists agreed with the sonographers' clinical interpretation in 649(99.8%) of cases. Radiologists detected no single error in the sonographers' interpretation of fetal viability, growth, amniotic fluid, Doppler parameters, fetal abnormalities, utero‐placental abnormalities, or adnexal abnormality. The involvement of radiologists in the verification/authorization of sonographers' reports resulted in the introduction of one new interpretive error and 13 new interpretive discrepancies. Sonographers committed a small number of spelling (12), transcription (7), wrong word errors (2) and one wrong patient error (1). Radiologists did not detect the majority of these errors. Conclusion: Independent reporting of obstetric ultrasound examinations by sonographers is safe and effective. We recommend that sonographers authorize obstetric reports independently.