PREECLAMPSIA SCREENING

Accreditation in the 11-13+6 week scan


Introduction

The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) has set up a process for accreditation in the 11-13+6 weeks scan to ensure that those performing this ultrasound examination have been adequately trained to do so and that high standards of performance are maintained by continuous education and audit.

We offer two tracks: The Full Credentialing Process is appropriate for those sonographers/sonologists who will be obtaining the NT measurements themselves by scanning patients. The Interpreting/Supervisory Physician Process is appropriate for those physicians who do not themselves scan patients to obtain NT measurements but who supervise fully credentialed sonographers and interpret and sign off on the scans obtained by their fully credentialed sonographers.

Once the Full Credentialing Process has been completed, the sonographer/sonologist will be entitled to download the free FMF software for the calculation of risk of Down syndrome by a combination of maternal age, nuchal translucency (NT) measurement. Additional first trimester ultrasound markers can be used to further refine the risk of Down syndrome in the FMF software, once the NT-credentialed person has earned a Certificate of Competence (for nasal bone and/or tricuspid flow and/or ductus venosus flow and/or facial angles).

The fully credentialed individual will be included in the FMF USA weblist of Accredited Sonographers. Insurance companies, laboratories, and potential employers can check this list by entering a person's last name or FMF ID number. The Supervising/Interpreting Physician will be included in the FMF USA weblist of Supervising Physicians.

For fully credentialed persons, the only condition for ongoing accreditation and use of the software is annual provision of NT images by the fully credentialed person for the purposes of quality assurance. 

The Accreditation Process (Full Credential)

Nuchal translucency scan requirements for accreditation:

  • Completion of the official Fetal Medicine Foundation free online theory course and payment of the one-time $100 administrative fee.
    • Click here to register for the free online theory course (11-13 Weeks Scan Course - choose the "Medical Practitioner" option)
    • You may pay the one-time $100 administrative fee by credit card or by mailing a check made out to FMF USA to:

    • Naomi Greene PhD

    12207 Hillslope St.

    Studio City CA 91604

  • Uploading or submission of three images of NT measurements.
  • If there are no more than 3 red x’s in the image scoring grid, the image set will pass. If the images are not consistently correct, feedback will be given and three more BRAND NEW images, taken after reading the most recent report, will be requested. All images submitted for initial accreditation must be no more than 2 months old when uploaded or postmarked. Image review may take up to 4 weeks to occur. If the words ‘3 image files saved’ appear in the upper left corner when you click to upload, this is your confirmation that the images uploaded successfully and you do not need to email to inquire

    • Uterine Artery Doppler scan requirements for accreditation:

    • Completion of the official Fetal Medicine Foundation free online theory course entitled Preeclampsia Screening and payment of the one-time $100 administrative fee if you have not already paid a fee for NT credentialling. Payment is accepted in the form of a credit card payment or check or money order made out to FMF USA and mailed to Naomi Greene PhD, 12400 Ventura Blvd. #838, Studio City CA 91064
    • Click here to register for the free online theory course (Preeclampsia Screening)
    • A current Fetal Medicine Foundation NT certificate is NO LONGER a prerequisite for uterine artery accreditation. 
    • Submission of three uterine artery Doppler images meeting the FMF uterine artery Doppler image criteria, acquired less than 2 months old from the date of submission. Please block all patient identifiers on each image. The date and time of image acquisition and gestational age must be included on each image.You can either upload your images to your FMF page directly or mail them to Cathy Downing, RT, RDMS, RVT, FMF USA Quality Assurance, 4A Flanagan Dr., Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Images are reviewed within 7-10 days of uploading or 2-3 weeks, if mailed..
    • If all of the images are acceptable, your name will be listed on the Accredited Weblist for Uterine Artery Doppler. If the technique is not consistently correct, feedback will be given and three more images requested. The uterine artery Doppler credential must be renewed annually by submitting 3 images.

    Click here for uterine artery assessment protocol.

    Click here for the Film Submission form for uterine artery/preeclampsia screening.

    Supervisory/Interpreting Physician Process:  : Physicians who do not themselves scan patients to obtain NT measurements but who supervise fully credentialed sonographers and interpret and sign off on the scans obtained by their fully credentialed sonographers should follow these steps:

    (1) Complete the 11-13+6 Weeks Scan Course (click here to register for the required online course and then click on the words Login Here just above Book on the 11-13 weeks scan)

    (2) Once the course is completed, review the NT image criteria by clicking on the following link: NT image criteria review

    (3) E-mail Naomi Greene at NaomiHG@fetalmedicine.com stating that (1) & (2) above have been completed.  You will then receive, by return e-mail, an image scoring quiz (pdf file).  Download, print, and take the quiz and then scan an e-mail it back, or fax it to Naomi  to 818-301-2208.

    (4) You must pass by a score of 80% or better.  Once this has occurred, you will receive a special Supervisory/Interpreting Physician's ID number and be weblisted on our site.

    (5) If the quiz is not passed by a score of 80% or better, you will receive an e-mail with a detailed report of the points that appear to need clarification and a new quiz to take after reading the report.