Minimum standard for equipping Moscow clinics with ultrasound diagnostic devices

BACKGROUND: A variety of ultrasound equipment and a lack of generally accepted classifications lead to inefficient equipment of medical organizations, incorrectly selected types of device, sets and probes’ characteristics, as well as a level of study quality. A systematic approach to equipping similar medical organizations with ultrasound devices will ensure the availability and improve the quality of primary medical care in outpatient centers.

AIM: To develop a calculation algorithm and recommendations for the minimum standard for equipping regional outpatient medical facilities of the state healthcare system based on the Moscow example.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In conducting the study, we used software for statistical and comparative analysis based on the data of the Material Support Management System of the Unified Medical Information and Analytical System (MSMS UMIAS), Form No.30 of Federal Statistical Observation, as well as a number of assigned population to the outpatient center (hereinafter referred to as the OC), technical data, and reviews of modern ultrasound diagnostic devices.

RESULTS: The developed minimum standard for equipment considers the following factors: 1) need to provide medical care to children and adult populations separately; 2) compliance with modern diagnostic technologies; 3) ensuring the territorial availability of diagnostics under the condition of efficient equipment operation.

CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of equipment of outpatient medical facilities with ultrasound diagnostic devices contributes to improving the quality of diagnostics and the availability of providing required examinations to the assigned population, reducing the waiting time for examinations, reducing the shortage of necessary equipment, expanding the range of medical services provided to the city population, and minimizing duplicate studies at subsequent stages of medical care.