'Clinical Audit – an Update for Ultrasound Practitioners'

Abstract

This paper presents an evidence-based update about clinical audit for ultrasound practitioners. Clinical audit is defined as a dynamic quality-assurance tool that is used to sample the performance in a department for comparison against the desired standard. The identification and explicit definition of a relevant evidence-based target standard at the start facilitates the evaluation of the department's performance. There are many challenges to introducing change to the usual clinical practice of a department, if it is required. One of the most important barriers to introducing change is disproportionate workload. The traditional view that feedback after clinical audit is effective in changing practice is questioned. The role of clinical audit is re-defined as one of checking standards against the agreed norms for a profession. Changing clinical practice will require multifaceted strategies that should not rely on feedback after clinical audit.