Ultrasound is experiencing tremendous growth and technological advancements. ICE Magazine recently published an article with insights from the following four directors:
Becky Allen, UC Health Vice President of Operations
Julie Dueitt, University of Texas Medical Branch Senior Imaging Manager – Ultrasound and CT
Kim Pongsatianwong, UT Southwestern Imaging Systems and Services Technical Manager
and Amy Rutledge, University Hospitals of Cleveland Radiology Manager
The directors spoke on various topics including portable ultrasounds, workforce challenges, and strategies for managing procedure growth and staffing shortages. Here are some valuable insights we found that will benefit facilities as they continue to advance their services.
Portable Ultrasound: A Vital Percentage of Volume
Portable devices have become a vital technology, playing a pivotal role in healthcare. Becky Allen reveals that a substantial 25% of their department’s volume is attributed to portable ultrasounds, particularly in critical care scenarios and neonatal intensive care units.
Yet, this innovation is not without its challenges. According to Julie Dueitt, the hurdles of transportation and potential musculoskeletal strain can cause problems with sonographers. She also noted that many sonographers opt to go mobile and put the reward before risk to ensure there is no delay in patient care. Currently 15% of all their ultrasound scans are portables, but if they stuck to necessary portable scans, that percentage would fall to 3-5%.
Despite the obstacles, Kim Pongsatianwong says portables account for a whopping 35% of ultrasounds, particularly during bedside exams and surgical procedures. While Rutledge’s facility averages 465 portable scans monthly, which covers about 13% of their scans, she emphasizes that a balance between necessity and convenience is necessary.
Challenges Faced by Sonographers: Stress, Burnout, and New Technology
Today, sonographers are grappling with stress, burnout, and the constant change of technological progress. For instance, Dueitt points out the toll on on-call demands, unnecessary exams, and ergonomic issues. 45% of sonographers face musculoskeletal injuries, which means sonographers need time to recuperate. Additionally, many sonographers navigate high scan volumes daily, but Allen suggests that flexible scheduling will alleviate the strain.
Keeping pace with the new technological advancements can be difficult for sonographers, and Kim Pongsatianwong touches on how difficult it is for them to find time to learn new techniques or equipment protocols. Allowing sonographers to have allocated time to familiarize themselves with new technology will eliminate this issue.
There is more demand for new sonographers, and these challenges must be resolved. Rutledge attributes the growing demand to demographic changes and an aging population, especially in this post-COVID era. To meet the demand, facilities need new policies that address sonographers’ challenges.
Vendor Selection: Balancing Preferences and Standardization
Choosing an ultrasound vendor becomes a point of contention, especially when different stakeholders have different preferences. Here’s how the directors manage that hurdle.
- At Becky Allen’s facility, they use a committee to choose a vendor. Dealing with opposing preferences from the ER, radiologist, and sonographer is easier when there is a committee to make choices.
- Another strategy is to focus on what benefits the patients the most. Julie Dueitt stresses the importance of factors such as image quality, cost, and additional no cost perks and features when choosing a vendor. Keeping patients in mind can mitigate any arguments between stakeholders.
- Research and education can eliminate disputes as well. Rutledge expresses the need for research and discussion within their radiologists, leadership team, and modality supervisors before choosing an ultrasound vendor. Doing comprehensive research and allowing everyone a voice will reduce contention. While Kim Pongsatianwong takes into consideration the input the radiologists and sonographers’ personal preferences, she ensures that her team is trained on all 50 units in the facility.
Surprises and Upgrades: Security, Ergonomics, and Workflow Efficiency
As facilities embrace new ultrasound vendors and machines, many ultrasound purchases come with some nice surprises, especially as technology improves. Becky Allen has noticed the ease of use and ergonomic features of the latest ultrasound units, noting that they aren’t as bulky as previous machines. The new machines are much easier to maneuver, and come with extra security on the units, like badge-tap access and the ease of locking the units. Julie Dueitt says she was excited to see vendors working harder to include service and software upgrades as part of the package. Kim Pongsatianwong says the technological upgrades in their most recent purchase were a pleasant surprise, especially since the reason for their upgrade was for a higher-level disinfection system and not technology motivated. Amy Rutledge liked that the technological advances in newer machines, such as one-touch image optimization and AI support, help improve workflow efficiencies and patient care.
Managing Procedure Growth and Staffing Shortages: Innovative Strategies
Addressing the challenges of procedure growth and staffing shortages can be tough for leaders. Utilizing different strategies can alleviate the strain of shortages and promote growth. For instance, Becky Allen uses agency sonographers to fill staffing gaps temporarily. You can also cross-train to fill in staffing gaps at your facility. Julie Dueitt’s facility cross-trains their sonographers to more specialized scanning and extends outpatient hours during the week and weekend to manage increases in procedures. Moreover, as Pongsatianwong discovered, having good partnerships with nearby educational institutions will provide an additional avenue to address your staffing concerns. At the same time, the facility can provide the students with a location for their clinicals, making it a beneficial partnership for both parties. And of course, since money talks, Amy Rutledge and her facility has implemented milestone bonuses, sign on bonuses, and additional compensation.
Ergonomics: Mitigating Musculoskeletal Injuries
Ergonomics is a critical concern in ultrasound, and the article outlines steps taken by institutions to address it. What really helps Allen’s department is the purchase of ergonomic chairs and newer equipment to help mitigate these risks. For Julie Dueitt, a detailed improvement plan including exercise bands with suggested exercises for sonographers to perform between patients and ergonomic scan chairs helps prevent injuries. Kim Pongsatianwong and Amy Rutledge provide sponsored CME on proper ergonomics. Amy Rutledge also takes advantage of the newer technologic advancements to alleviate musculoskeletal injuries.
The Dynamic Future of Ultrasound
Ultrasound remains a dynamic and ever-evolving field. These insights provided by industry leaders offer a comprehensive view of the highs and lows in ultrasound imaging. The continuous introduction of innovative features, advancements in technology, and a focus on education and training contribute to the field’s upward trajectory. As healthcare institutions navigate the complexities of ultrasound, addressing challenges and embracing technological advancements will be key to ensuring the continued growth and success of this vital imaging modality.
