We've Got Your Back! (and wrist)
As important a decision as which manufacturers equipment is to buy, it is equally important which stretcher, chair, foot mat etc. to purchase. Injury, especially musculoskeletal injury is the leading cause of sonographer days missed or even quitting the ultrasound field. There are many ergonomic answers for the problems encountered so take the time and spend the money for really good ergonomic room setups. I guarantee it will more than pay for itsself.
Past Tips:
New life for old systems:
Those old systems gathering dust can often be utilized in places you might not think of. Ultrasound schools are often appreciative of donated equipment and veterinarians, especially large animal veterinarians appreciate the systems in their practice, you might even talk them into letting you set up the system and show them the buttons. Scanning horse tendons is easier than you would think and a nice change from hospital work. The patients are sometimes nicer also! ;)
ABI Values:
0.91 - 1.30 Normal 0.70 - 0.90 Mild Obstruction 0.40 - 0.69 Moderate Obstruction <0.40 Severe Obstruction >1.30 Poorly Compressible Vessels (Calcified)
How to ease a pediatric patients fears:
When doing small children it pays to have a VCR on your system. Pop in a childrens tape and let them see part of a movie with the promise that they can see more when you are finished (checking films time). It also tends to ease their minds if you let them hold the transducer first and explain it is a special type of microphone that is used on the stomach (or whatever part you are ultrasounding). It also helps to let them put their finger in the gel before you try to put the gel on the patient.
Having trouble visualizing renal vasculature?
To ease the visualization of renal arteries and veins, insure that the patient is WELL hydrated with water. Using carbonated beverages will add gas. A dehydrated patient (especially an NPO patient) will have little or decreased flow to the renal arteries. Another trick to color flow is to have the color doppler set to a lower frequency (2-2.5 mHz).
Having trouble visualizing a pancreas?
Try this trick, have the patient cross their right leg over their left as far as possible without rolling their hip off the table, this technique clears gas about 80% of the time. I don't know why, but it works.
E-mail me with your tips and I will share them here. Link me to your webpage, come back often for updates.
Past Tips:
New life for old systems:
Those old systems gathering dust can often be utilized in places you might not think of. Ultrasound schools are often appreciative of donated equipment and veterinarians, especially large animal veterinarians appreciate the systems in their practice, you might even talk them into letting you set up the system and show them the buttons. Scanning horse tendons is easier than you would think and a nice change from hospital work. The patients are sometimes nicer also! ;)
ABI Values:
0.91 - 1.30 Normal 0.70 - 0.90 Mild Obstruction 0.40 - 0.69 Moderate Obstruction <0.40 Severe Obstruction >1.30 Poorly Compressible Vessels (Calcified)
How to ease a pediatric patients fears:
When doing small children it pays to have a VCR on your system. Pop in a childrens tape and let them see part of a movie with the promise that they can see more when you are finished (checking films time). It also tends to ease their minds if you let them hold the transducer first and explain it is a special type of microphone that is used on the stomach (or whatever part you are ultrasounding). It also helps to let them put their finger in the gel before you try to put the gel on the patient.
Having trouble visualizing renal vasculature?
To ease the visualization of renal arteries and veins, insure that the patient is WELL hydrated with water. Using carbonated beverages will add gas. A dehydrated patient (especially an NPO patient) will have little or decreased flow to the renal arteries. Another trick to color flow is to have the color doppler set to a lower frequency (2-2.5 mHz).
Having trouble visualizing a pancreas?
Try this trick, have the patient cross their right leg over their left as far as possible without rolling their hip off the table, this technique clears gas about 80% of the time. I don't know why, but it works.
E-mail me with your tips and I will share them here. Link me to your webpage, come back often for updates.
