Abstract:

Objective

To evaluate the value of quality control circle in improving the accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis of uterine fibroids.

Methods

The Department of Ultrasound Imaging of Zhuhai People’s Hospital launched a quality control circle activity in September 2022.After establishing a theme and plan for the activity, physicians were divided into three groups based on their professional titles: junior,intermediate, and senior.Six physicians were randomly selected from each group, totaling 18 physicians.Cases of uterine fibroids diagnosed by these physicians between April 2021 and September 2022 were collected and verified against surgical records and postoperative pathology.Diagnostic accuracy and classification rates were statistically analyzed, while diagnostic errors were categorized and investigated.Countermeasures were formulated, and activity goals were established.From October 2022 to March 2024,continuous quality control circle activity was implemented.Post-intervention diagnostic accuracy rates,target achievement rates, and improvement rates were statistically analyzed.Pre- versus post-intervention diagnostic accuracy rates were compared using the Wilcoxon test.

Results

Following quality control circle activity implementation, diagnostic accuracy rates increased relative to pre-intervention values (43.8%-66.7% vs 46.2%-81.8%), with a target achievement rate of 53.2% and improvement rate of 14.7%.Diagnostic accuracy significantly increased across all professional tiers (junior: 46.2%-58.6% vs 40.0%-50.0%,Z=-2.032, P=0.042; intermediate: 55.3%-72.3% vs 40.0%-53.8%, Z=-2.214, P=0.027; senior: 63.0%-81.8% vs 50.0%-66.7%, Z=-2.023, P=0.043).

Conclusion

Quality control circle activity implementation effectively improves the accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis of uterine fibroids.

Key words: Ultrasound, Uterine fibroids, Quality control, Quality control circle