NT, NB, and TF Certificates
FETAL MEDICINE FOUNDATION NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY, NASAL BONE, AND TRICUSPID FLOW CERTIFICATES
Fetal Medicine Foundation USA (FMF) NT, NB, and TF Certificates are available for physicians, sonographers, and other health care providers who have attended an FMF course. The ten FMF standardized protocol NB prospective studies of 18,000 fetuses have documented nasal bone is absent in approximately 70% of fetuses with Down syndrome at 11-13.9 weeks' gestation (45-84mm CRL) when the ultrasound examination is performed by FMF accredited sonographers. Experience is needed in addition to formal training and accreditation to achieve proficiency (Cicero, 2004). The international literature has documented that Nasal Bone evaluation is an effective, consistent, and accurate chromosomal abnormality marker in both the first and second trimester using the FMF USA and FMF standardized NB protocol. Physicians and sonographers across the USA have received an FMF Nasal Bone certificate and perform Nasal Bone evaluations. Nasal Bone assessments are fully documented and are recommended by the FMF, FMF USA, and NTQR. Nasal Bone assessment is an acceptable medical procedure, qualifies for medical necessity and is Standard of Care.
As of August 10, 2005, present or absent Nasal Bone assessments have been combined with NT/freeBeta/PAPP-A for physicians and sonographers who have an FMF Nasal Bone Certificate. Dried blood NT/freeBeta/PAPP-A screening provides 91% Down syndrome detection, less than 2.4% screen positive rate, and 1 in 17 yield. The addition of Nasal Bone has raised detection to 95% at 2% screen positive rate. Adding NB raises trisomy 18/13 detection from 97% to 98%. Nasal Bone studies performed by sonographers without FMF accreditation cannot be compared to FMF accredited sonographer studies.
FMF NASAL BONE AND TRUCUSPID FLOW TRAINING REQUIRED
Nasal Bone evaluation requires the same formal training at an FMF USA NB didactic course, hands-on-training, film evaluation, and annual certificate audit of the FMF Nasal Bone Certificate as for Nuchal Translucency. All providers who would like to provide NT/NB/freeBeta/PAPP-A Screening to their patients must attend an FMF USA NT, NB, and TF course.
FMF NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY, NASAL BONE, AND TRICUSPID FLOW CERTIFICATES
Physicians and sonographers who have attended an FMF USA course are eligible to send Nasal Bone and Tricuspid Flow films with a film submission form to obtain certificates at no charge. The FMF NT/NB/TF Film Submission Form is available at: http://www.genecare.com/94/id/NTNBTFDVFMFAFilmSubmission Physicians and sonographers with an NTQR NT certificate may apply for an FMF NT certificate. For more information, please contact customer service.