The Sound Resource :: Knowledge Article

Ultrasound Scanning Tips
By Corky Hecht, BA, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT (N), Program Manager, Senior Clinical Instructor, Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute, Inc.

There has been a lot of emphasis placed upon good ergonomics for ultrasound scanning over the last several years, and for two good reasons. First, there has been a tremendous rise in the reported incidence of “repetitive motion injuries” to sonographers over that same time period. This is certainly a concern for the industry and sonographers in particular. Equipment manufacturers are addressing it from an equipment design perspective but unless you are purchasing a new system soon it will not translate to your facility for a while. In the meantime, it becomes the responsibility of the sonographer and the employer to communicate about the room arrangements and flow of patients within the department not only to prevent injury to your sonographer but to enable the technologist to obtain the best possible exam. Scanning requires some very subtle and intricate moves of the transducer and maintaining your windows to obtain Color or Doppler imaging to aid in the diagnosis.

This then becomes the second reason to address the issue of ergonomics when scanning. If you do not take the time to properly establish a comfortable scanning position within reach of the system controls there is no way that you will obtain the best exam. Whether scanning for radiology, cardiac or vascular examinations and whether scanning standing or sitting or from the right or the left – take time to arrange the room so you can be comfortable and not have to contort yourself to reach the patient and/or the machine. It takes a lot of stress to hold the probe properly and steadily to obtain the subtle changes in probe angle or rotation. If you are suspending your entire arm there is no way you can make the subtle probe movements or support the weight of your arm as long or as steady. The result is a compromised study which is often interpreted as non-diagnostic or as a sub-optimal exam. Proper scanning tables that move easily and raise and lower are a worthwhile investment and will greatly reduce the repeat or “re-do some other way” exams. Adequate ventilation and thermostat controls will also extend the life-expectancy of your equipment, reduce maintenance costs and increase the comfort or your patients and technologists.

The extra time you spend to establish a comfortable working environment will pay dividends in better exams, less discomfort and disability and ultimately better through-put of patients within your facility.