What makes you stand out? Many of the organizations that use us for keeping their team up to date with Sonography as well as Leadership Courses, appreciate the fact that we stay educated ourselves. As an education company, this is imperative, so be sure to ask us what we’ve attended so far this year. Two of us just attended a Non-profit class at University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). In addition to courses, we have to keep up memberships to organizations such as AWHONN so we can stay up on article and hot topics for the professions we serve.
Just last week, I got an update from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). It is the updated version of the Official Statement on Limited Obstetrical Ultrasound; Approved 4/2/2014
It revisits the definition and restates that the limited obstetrical ultrasound exam is performed to answer a specific, acute clinical question, when an immediate impact on management is anticipated, and when time or other constraints make a performance of a standard sonogram is impractical or unnecessary. See the AIUM Practice Guideline for the Performance of Obstetrical Ultrasound Examinations.
It also covers the background and the professional groups who have an interest in obstetric sonography.
Key to your clinical setting is the following paragraph: Lack of qualification or experience of the sonographer/sonologist does not justify performance of a limited ultrasound examination when a standard examination is indicated. Sonographer/sonologist qualifications are described in the Training Guidelines for Physicians Who Evaluate and Interpret Diagnostic Ultrasound Examinations and the Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Ultrasound Practices.
It is important as one of the leaders in your organization, your clinic, that you consider what it means when it is written “lack of qualifications or experience of the sonographer does not justify performance of a limited ultrasound examination.” When considering training there are some things to consider that Sonography Now has provided from our early training days.
Your training should not teach a limited exam only.
Your training should include a full exam for pregnancy confirmation.
Your training should include didactic training w support curriculum.
Your training should include on-going support.
Your training should include support materials.
Your training should include a plan for building a library.
Your training should include team training and collaboration training.
Your training should include a long-term plan for growth and development.
Your training should include CEU’s and represent a recognized format.
The above list is not all inclusive of what is needed, but it provides a manageable list for your decision making related to imaging training. We stand out in multiple areas and we want you to stand out in your community. Stand out as the best place to go “for pregnancy confirmation”, and the best place to go “for a good ultrasound.”
Please refer to the AIUM website to check this out yourself, and keep a copy in your records. www.aium.org
Thank you for serving your communities and I hope you find this valuable.
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