Validation of subcutaneous thickness by students with no experience

Abstract

　Accurate measurement of subcutaneous thickness is important for correctly performing subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. The objective of the present study was to confirm the validity of subjects with no experience in ultrasonography measuring subcutaneous thickness using an ultrasound device. Subjects were 46 nursing university students, randomly assigned to a manual group (n=23) and an ultrasonic group (n=23). Subcutaneous thickness over the deltoid muscle in 23 healthy adult volunteers was measured manually and using ultrasonic measurements. Subcutaneous thickness as measured by a researcher with expertise in operating ultrasound devices was used as the criterion value. Median values for the criterion value, ultrasonic group, and manual group were 0.8 cm (0.5‒2.0 cm), 0.9 cm (0.5‒1.6 cm), and 2.0 cm (1.3‒5.5 cm), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the criterion value compared to the ultrasound group and manual group were .86 (.69‒.97) and .40 (.01‒.69) respectively. Linear regression equations of the criterion value compared to the ultrasound group and manual group were y=1. 232x-0. 218 (R2=. 809) and y=0. 235x+0. 411 (R2=. 296), respectively. An ultrasound device is therefore an effective device for inexperienced students to accurately measure subcutaneous thickness in clinical practice.