Ultrasound technology gives medical care providers invaluable insight into patients’ health without the risks of ionizing radiation. While it’s considered one of the safest imaging procedures available, ensuring patient safety remains a top priority for medical professionals. As stewards of healthcare, sonographers and medical practitioners must follow these four ultrasound safety tips for patient well-being.
1. Correct Setup and Calibration
An accurately calibrated ultrasound machine is the foundation for a safe imaging session. Before every use, ensure the machine is correctly set up according to manufacturer guidelines. This involves checking the power and signal integrity, calibrating image depth, ensuring aligned transducers, and validating the functionality of all safety features.
Early detection of any calibration discrepancy is key to preventing incorrect diagnoses and undue patient stress. Medical professionals can also use a phantom to ensure calibration accuracy. Periodically scanning a phantom can validate the accuracy and consistency of the ultrasound system.
2. Appropriate Doppler Settings
Doppler ultrasound is a powerful tool for assessing blood flow. However, improper settings can result in a misrepresentation of the true velocity and direction of blood flow, potentially leading to incorrect diagnoses or inappropriate treatment plans. Before performing a scan, check the following settings:
- Low pulse repetition frequency (PRF): Employing a low PRF helps to accurately capture lower velocity blood flow and flow in smaller vessels, minimizing the chances of overlooking vital clinical information.
- Optimal gain adjustment: Carefully adjusting the gain is essential to differentiate between blood flow and surrounding tissue, ensuring clarity and precision in the diagnostic results.
- Angle correction: Properly aligning the Doppler angle with the direction of blood flow ensures the most accurate velocity measurements, which is critical for correct diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Temperature monitoring: Continuous monitoring during Doppler ultrasound assessments prevents the risk of excessive heat exposure to the patient, maintaining comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
3. Proper Communication and Consent
Effective and clear communication with the patient is a cornerstone of ultrasound safety and promotes patient well-being. Patients should understand the nature of the ultrasound procedure, including any potential discomfort and the necessity of specific positions during scanning.
Informed consent is a vital element of patient communication. It ensures that the individual understands why the ultrasound is being performed, what to expect, possible physical sensations, and any potential risks. This conversation fosters trust and helps alleviate patient anxiety, contributing to a positive and safe experience.
4. Quality Equipment
Signs of poor-quality ultrasound equipment often manifest as inconsistent imaging results and frequent breakdowns that disrupt patient care continuity. Medical practices should invest in top-quality imaging technology for efficient and accurate results that support diagnostic accuracy.
Refurbished ultrasound machines are cost-effective alternatives to brand-new devices. It’s essential to procure refurbished medical devices from a reputable supplier with rigorous quality assurance and ongoing support.
Healthcare practitioners support patient well-being by properly calibrating the ultrasound machine, selecting suitable parameters, communicating clearly with patients, and investing in quality equipment. By following these tips, healthcare professionals can ensure their patients have positive and secure ultrasound experiences, promoting trust and patient satisfaction.