Unit Code: 87857
First Trimester Maternal Screen

Submitting a specimen for a first trimester maternal screen is a multi-step process. Before submitting a specimen, Mayo Medical Laboratories (MML) requires review of each sonographer's NT/CRL data. Once the requirements have been met for the data review, MML will designate a sonographer code and provide patient information forms to use when submitting specimens. Finally, to ensure quality control, periodic reports will be sent out to evaluate the sonographer's performance.

NOTE: Mayo Medical Laboratories will only accept Nuchal Translucency (NT) measurements from certified sonographers.

1. Data Review

Prior to sending the first specimen, complete the following two items:

• Verification of Certification: Fax a copy of the sonographer's certification card or certificate to 507.538.7709. The certification number will be entered into MML's system and used to provide ongoing quality assessment of your data.
• NT/CRL Data Form: The relative risk associated with the NT measurement is calculated by comparing the patient's NT measurement to a reference curve. Sonographers should provide paired NT/CRL measurements from as many pregnancies as possible to validate the appropriate reference data.
  NOTE: If a sonographer's technique differs significantly from that of the reference curve, the accuracy of the results will be compromised.
2. Sonographer Code
   Upon completion of the data review, a sonographer code will be provided and must be included with each specimen submitted. Specimens cannot be submitted until a sonographer code has been provided and established in our system.
3. Patient Information Sheet
   Once a code has been established, a supply of MML's First Trimester Maternal Screening Patient Information forms (supply number T593) will be provided. A completed patient information form must be submitted with each specimen.
4. Ongoing Quality Control
   A quality report will be sent to each sonographer with a minimum of 50 data points. The report will include the number of measurements, median, slope, and standard deviation. Sonographers falling outside expected norms will be requested to contact their certification agency for remediation. Sonographers who continue to fall outside of expected norms may be required to submit a letter from their certification agency validating ability to continue to perform nuchal translucency measurements.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Mayo Medical Laboratories: 800.533.1710
Ask for the maternal screening area.