New Zealand sonographers do not outperform their European or American colleagues in the knowledge of ultrasound safety

Nečas, Martin

doi:10.1002/j.2205-0140.2010.tb00176.x

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Previous studies show international operators are aware of potential bioeffects when using Doppler during the first trimester with an average of 50.1% (36.2-76.6%) considering 2D always safe, compared to Doppler ultrasound at 21.5% (19.2-23.6%). 2,[25][26][27][28][29][30] It is interesting to note that despite this, in the two studies where the respondents were asked their opinion on 'keepsake' imaging (non-medically indicated or social), the disapproval rates were 71.1% 25 and 69.2%. 2 Spectral and power Doppler may increase the TI significantly and we should only use it in the first trimester if clinically indicated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ultrasound machine may start up on maximum power to optimise sensitivity, leaving the user to monitor and reduce output levels when necessary. 29 FDA guidelines recommend that ODS should be displayed but do not suggest where or how this is to be achieved. 11 Sande and Kiserud 35 showed absent or very little effect on visualisation of the fetus by increasing output intensity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…29 FDA guidelines recommend that ODS should be displayed but do not suggest where or how this is to be achieved. 11 Sande and Kiserud 35 showed absent or very little effect on visualisation of the fetus by increasing output intensity.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

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National survey of Australian sonographer knowledge and behaviour surrounding the ALARA principles when conducting the 11-14-week obstetric screening ultrasound

Beirne

Westerway

2016

Australas J Ultrasound Med

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Objectives: To identify gaps in Australian sonographer's knowledge and application of as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles during first trimester imaging; Identify relationships between demographic variables and knowledge or application of the Output Display Standard (ODS) value thermal index (TI) and compare Australian sonographers to their international peers. Methods: Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registered (ASAR)-registered sonographers completed a voluntary questionnaire over September 2015 after institutional ethics approval . Seventeen questions detailed their demographics (5); knowledge of ultrasound bioeffects terminology and ALARA principles (9); behaviour surrounding ALARA and first trimester imaging (2) and continuing bioeffects education (1). Exclusion criteria was non-ASAR status. Descriptive (mode frequency) and inferential statistics (Fisher exact test) were used. Significance level was 95%. Results: Ninety-five valid surveys were collected. Ninety-nine per cent knew the meaning of ALARA, 93.55% correctly defined 'TI' and 85.39% knew where to find the TI value via the ODS. Half never monitor the ODS. No correlation (P = 0.094) was found between experience and ODS monitoring. No statistical difference (P = 0.189) existed between obstetric and non-obstetric sonographers who knew the meaning of TIB (87.18% vs. 76.92%) or those who correctly identified it as the setting for 11-14-week examinations (30.77% vs. 30.77%). When using Doppler during obstetric examinations, no difference existed (P = 0.293), between obstetric and non-obstetric sonographers' knowledge of ASUM/WFUMB guidelines for maximum TI (47.37% vs. 46.15%). Conclusions: Despite poor ODS usage, Australian sonographers outperform their international peers for ALARA literacy, and show better application of ALARA principles in the first trimester. No relationships were found between demographic variables and knowledge or conscious monitoring of ODS.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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National survey of Australian sonographer knowledge and behaviour surrounding the ALARA principles when conducting the 11-14-week obstetric screening ultrasound

Beirne

Westerway

2016

Australas J Ultrasound Med

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“…The generalised belief in the safety of ultrasound has resulted in user complacency, despite abundant reference literature, industry guidelines and additional safety training. 8,11,13 Even though Correspondence to email martin@antegrade.net doi: 10.1002/ajum.12169 substantial reductions in acoustic output are possible without compromising the clinical content of ultrasound images, [14][15][16] uninformed or complacent users cannot be expected to take the appropriate action to comply with guidelines intended to ensure the biological safety of the fetus. 8,11,13 Even though Correspondence to email martin@antegrade.net doi: 10.1002/ajum.12169 substantial reductions in acoustic output are possible without compromising the clinical content of ultrasound images, [14][15][16] uninformed or complacent users cannot be expected to take the appropriate action to comply with guidelines intended to ensure the biological safety of the fetus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The generalised belief in the safety of ultrasound has resulted in user complacency, despite abundant reference literature, industry guidelines and additional safety training. 6,11 In practice, most ultrasound users do not monitor the Thermal Indices (TI) and do not know how the TI can be reduced by adjusting the system controls and limiting the power output. 8,11,13 Even though Correspondence to email martin@antegrade.net doi: 10.1002/ajum.12169 substantial reductions in acoustic output are possible without compromising the clinical content of ultrasound images, [14][15][16] uninformed or complacent users cannot be expected to take the appropriate action to comply with guidelines intended to ensure the biological safety of the fetus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do current Philips ultrasound systems exceed the recommended safety limits during routine prenatal ultrasounds?

Ong

Nečas

Lissington³

2019

Australas J Ultrason Med

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Background: Biological safety of ultrasound is a complex and nuanced subject that is poorly understood by ultrasound users. Little is known about the acoustic output and thermal index levels during the routine use of modern ultrasound machines in prenatal scanning. Methodology: This study was a retrospective review of thermal index (TI) values encountered during 300 prenatal ultrasound examinations (100 in each trimester) performed on any one of 13 Philips Epiq 7 or Epiq 5 systems, representing approximately 106.5 h of real-time scanning. The TI levels were compared to three international guidelines on the biological safety of ultrasound. Results: The routine use of current Philips systems was associated with low TI levels. Of the 300 examinations reviewed, virtually all were compliant with the BMUS and Nelson safety guideline. Whether the examination was compliant with the WFUMB guideline is open to interpretation. The highest level of TI encountered was 1.1. In no instance did the TI level incur into the 'not recommended' range or into a range where specific user action was required to reduce the TI within 1 min. The most frequent action associated with TI > 0.7 was the use of M-mode to document the fetal heart rate. In the four instances where TI peaked at 1.1, 3 were associated with the use of M-mode and one with B-mode. Spectral Doppler was not implicated in high TI levels. These results are surprising and open up a range of opportunities for future study.

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Obstetric Doppler ultrasound: Are we performing it correctly?

Nečas

2016

Australas J Ultrasound Med

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New Zealand sonographers do not outperform their European or American colleagues in the knowledge of ultrasound safety

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

National survey of Australian sonographer knowledge and behaviour surrounding the ALARA principles when conducting the 11-14-week obstetric screening ultrasound

National survey of Australian sonographer knowledge and behaviour surrounding the ALARA principles when conducting the 11-14-week obstetric screening ultrasound

Do current Philips ultrasound systems exceed the recommended safety limits during routine prenatal ultrasounds?

Obstetric Doppler ultrasound: Are we performing it correctly?

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