Organisation of Paediatric and Congenital Echocardiography Laboratories and Governance of Echocardiography Services and Training in Europe. A Statement of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC, the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC), and the ESC Working Group on Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

This document has been developed as a comprehensive roadmap to the organization of paediatric and congenital echocardiography laboratories, as well as the governance of echocardiography services and training across Europe. The following key topics will be reviewed and discussed: i) the setup and organization of paediatric and congenital echocardiography laboratories; ii) staffing requirements for these laboratories; iii) work time organization; and iv) quality improvement processes. This document aims to identify the minimum number of medical and allied health professional staff required for each laboratory based on specific workload demands, whilst also detailing the basic medical accreditation requirements needed. Principles of work time organisation will be addressed, including the time allocation needed for various types of echocardiographic examinations (e.g., first-time or complex examinations, follow-up, and quick assessments). The necessary time and space for reporting, communicating results (e.g., discussions with parents, liaising with other departments), and overall workflow will also be analysed. Additionally, quality improvement processes will be discussed, with a focus on strategies and minimum requirements for enhancing training and teaching. Approaches to encourage and support research initiatives within paediatric and congenital echocardiography laboratories will also be outlined.

Keywords: children; congenital heart disease; echocardiography; governance; organizations; requirements; research; training.