Releasing Confidential Information: In certain situations, a signed realease form may not be required for you to share patient information with others. Some examples are:
When patients are delivered to other healthcare providers, you must relay information about them and their conditions and treatments to provide a complete transfer of care (such as reporting when a paitent is delivered to the emergency department). Certain incidents require notifying law enforcement, and you must provide appropriate information in those situations. A police report may be required for animal bites, industrial acceidents, suspected child abuse, rape, or gunshot wounds. Reporting regulations vary from state to state, check with your local law enforcement agency to find out what incidents must be reported. Sometimes medical experts can be subpeoned for information. In this case legal documentation requires you to honor the rules of the court and tell what you know. As a medical professional you must always follow court orders. Third party payment is one other time that confidentiality requirements may be different. It is fairly common for a third party payer such as an insurance company that covers patient expenses. Often times others besides the patient must submit patient and insurance information.
Always check with your state regulations and also your employer to find out what their expectations are for confidentiality. This extra step will help to protect you and your job, and also the patient’s that you serve.
Medical ethics is just one of the courses students must take if they are studying to be an ultrasound technician. The ethics courses are designed to teach potential sonographers about the standards and ethics of any medical profession. Ultrasound technicians have a great deal of interaction with patients, especially expectant mothers and they need to know the best practices for handling any unusual circumstances. A large part of ethics seems to be common sense for example; knowing how to keep patient information confidential, how to handle patients that are unruly or upset, and how to treat patients with courtesy. The medical community is dedicated to making patients feel welcome and secure in a medical environment. Learning ethics is part of implementing that theory. Confidentiality of patients is one of the most common ethical topics.
Confidentiality of Patients – You learn a lot of personal information from patients in the course of assessing them and providing care. The patient’s age, and past/recent medical record are usually given. Any information coming from the patient or a physical examination should be considered confidential. Treatment administered is also considered confidential information. Patients have a right and expectation that their privacy will be protected. The patient is the only one who has the right to share information freely. An Ultrasound technician should acquire written consent before any personal information is divulged to an outside party. An ultrasound technician should not speak with family, friends, media or anyone else not directly involved with the patient’s care. Tomorrow we will explore when and how confidential information can be released. If you are interested in becoming an ultrasound technician, ethics will be a topic you should consider.
So, a sonographer and an ultrasound technician are the same thing in case you were wondering. You probably already knew that, but just don’t understand why they had to go changing things on us. Send me questions and comments about anything you would like to know about becoming an ultrasound technician. Here is an explanation for the interchangeable names for this worthwhile profession. Many people still refer to sonographer professionals as ultrasound technicians, ultrasound techs, or even ultrasound technologists. Over the past ten years, there has been a trend to begin using a different more formal title of “sonographer” as opposed to ultrasound technician. The terms are still interchangeable and both are used frequently, but apparently “sonographer” is the more respectful/preferred term. Once a student has completed his/her school and passed the certification process, the official title is “Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.”
What kind of images do sonographers take you might ask?
The actual scan or image a medical sonographer takes is called a sonogram or an ultrasound. The scan or image can be referred to as an “ultrasound” or a “sonogram” depending on what body part is being scanned.
How many images are taken/needed?
Some sonographers prefer to take more scans than others; really it is up to the operator’s discretion. The most important thing is that the job is done completely. One ultrasound procedure may involve taking anywhere from 30-125 scans. One field that usually requires more is obstetrics. Obstetrics has to do with expecting mothers and typically this field involves a high number of scans, anywhere from 75-110 images. A thyroid ultrasound, on the other hand, probably only requires a few.
How many patients does a sonographer see per day?
The number of patients a sonographer may see on any given day depends largely on what type of ultrasounds are needed. Typically one ultrasound is booked to take an average of 45 minutes to an hour. So in an eight hour day a medical sonograph can have the potential to help up to 8-10 patients.
Parenting roles and family relationships are influenced by social, cultural, and historical factors. Parents share many of the same goals across cultures but differ in how they approach meeting them. Some cultures place a strong emphasis on family and group identity. Others value individuality and independence. Childrearing attitudes and recommendations hae changed over the years, as have the roles of men and women. Mothers and fathers often are challenged with balancing multiple roles while promoting the optimal development of their children. Articles and books containing conflicting information and advice that can be confusing for both parents and children. Parents who are in nuclear families have lost the modeling and influence of the extended family in their learning and practicing for the parental role. Any number of family configurations can be found, from the traditional married man and woman with the man as the major breadwinner to blended families through divorce and remarriage, to single mothers with children. Families living in poverty face significant parenting challenges and barriers. As hospital stays shorten, families are geographically spread out, and economic factors force women into employement after short maternity leaves, educational needs for new parents have burgeoned. The lactation consultant is in a unique position to both assist with breastfeeding and to offer valuable support to new families.
Since we are learning about the sonography degree, we thought it might be interesting to also look at a related job field; Lactation consultant. Lots of the job of a sonographer consists of ultrasounds for expecting mothers. A student studying to become an ultrasound technician may be interested in learning about becoming a lactation consultant as well; especially if they have a particular interest in babies and expectant mothers.
First lets look at what a lactation consultant does. Effective counseling skills and communicaton techniques are essential tools of the lactation consultant. Use of these skills provides mothers with the support and teaching that will help them develop confidence in their mothering and breastfeeding. The degree to which mothers are helped by support and advice from a lactation consultant is determined in large part by the lactation consultant’s attitude and approach. Adult learners need to percieve themselves as having control over their outcomes. Therefore, an approach that establishes a pertnership between the mother and lactation consultant will foster the mother’s learning and growth. This approach also increases the liklihood of the mother complying with her lactation consultant’s advice. New mothers and those who are breastfeeding for the first time are vulnerable to messages and impressions that compromise their self-confidence. An awareness of effective body language and voice tone will assist the lactation consultant in creating an atmosphere in which the mother feels empowered and self-confident. Choice of positive words and phrases also contributes to an effective learning climate. If you are interested in learning more about the degree of a lactation consultant stay tuned all this week.
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SDMS: Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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If you plan to geting an education to become certified in Sonography, joining a well repsected organization may be one of the best investments you can make. May we reccomend the SDMS? SDMS stands for the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Let us provide a little background information. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography was founded in 1970 with the purpose, in mind, to support its members in many ways related to their field. Some may wonder about what diagnostic medical sonography is, and how it is used in the medical community. The society functions with a couple of purposes in mind. Some of the stated purposes are initiating and overseeing educational programs having to do with diagnostic medical sonography, collecting and communicating information to its members, writing publications to reach out to members of the organization, seeking cooperation from likeminded organizations, and reviewing and establishing policies relating to new legislation, and technology that applies to members. The core purpose of the SDMS is stated as, “to enhance the art and science of medicine by advancing medical sonography”.
The SDMS has a code of ethics which they adhere to. It was established in December of 2006 and still applies to this day. Their code of ethics promises to promote excellence in patient care by fostering responsibility and accountability among diagnostic medical sonographers. In so doing, the integrity of the profession can be maintained. Learn more about the SDMS, and how to join.
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Sonography Schools: Seasonal Affective Disorder
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When most people think of ultrasounds, they think of pregnancy and the exams involving sonography to view a fetus. However, ultrasound technician degrees and study cover many other areas then just the belly. One common place an ultrasound may be used is on the brain. In todays blog we will talk a little about seasonal affective disorder. Commonly know as SAD, seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression in which mood changes occur according to the season. The cause is not known, although it is thought that the changes in daylight levels may cause alterations in brain chemisty that affect mood. Typically the onset of winter brings depression, fatigue, lack of energy, cravings for sugary and starchy food, weight gain anxiety and irritability. These symptoms often causes individuals to withdraw from social activities. The symptoms then spontaneously clear up with the coming of spring. SAD can usually be treated with daily light therapy or antidepressants.
Once one earns a sonography degree, what can these professionals expect? Where should a student consider earning their training to become an ultrasound technician? These are all legitimate questions asked by many aspiring sonography technicians before you. There are many places one can receive their training to gain a sonography degree. One of the most common places is at a community college. Other good options are technical schools, hospitals, or universities. While some programs prefer to choose students that have specialized in science or health care background, these requirements are not set in stone.
Along with educational requirements is also the passing of required competency exams in each area. For example, there are a certain number of vascular exams (veins) and abdomen competency exams required.
How Long do most sonography programs last ?
The typical sonography program lasts around 18-24 months. Most programs are set up with the first year of full time coursework accompanied by part time clinical first hand experience. The second year of the program usually involves part time coursework plus additional part time clinical experience, usually about 32 hours per week.
Gaining a sonography degree is just one of the ways to break in to the Allied health field. It is never too late to follow your dreams.
Some current “hot topics” in the Sonography field are technology improvement and better machines. It seems these days that each facility is in a technology race to acquire the best and newest imaging equipment. Patients have demanded the best treatment and prefer the most up to date facilities. Some of the newest technology in this industry is called the 3D/4D ultrasound machines. You can imagine how much care expectant mothers take when choosing where they will receive their medical attention and check ups. Some mothers seem to be obsessed with pregnancy and care because they want what is best for the baby growing inside of them.
Internships and other forms of experience are preferred and should be considered as part of any students’ education because
internships, or clinical hours (or both), are a requirement of all sonography programs. Typically a student will choose to do a part time work internship, part time clinical hours throughout the course of their sonography program. Sometimes up to 32 hours per week of clinical experience is required. Another pertinent part of any students’ degree is the completion of a set of examinations for each sonography specialty.
Perhaps you are asking yourself, what board exams are required in order to become a registered in sonographer?
To be considered certified by the board of the American Registry for Diagnostic Sonography (ARDMS), they require applicants to pass three exams following their graduation from an ultrasound program: physics abdomen, and obstetrics/pelvis. Individuals may also choose to specialize in echo, vascular, breast or neonatal. There are board specified exams for each of these specialties. Passing any of these additional board exams will allow sonographers to perform other specific scans and may make them eligible for pay increases as well. Any basic sonography program will provide adequate preparation for the board exams that are administered. It is recommended, however, that graduates study for a few weeks prior to taking them in to brush up on previous class materials. These exams run the average cost of $200 per exam. Since there are three exams offered that could equal up to $600. This is why studying prior to an exam would be cost effective. Any increase in the chances of passing exams the first time around is recommended. A sonography/ultrasound degree is a good way to make money and have a rewarding career in the Allied Health field.
If you are interested in getting a sonography degree, let us brief you on what a sonographer/ultrasound technician does. Why the two different words referring to this profession you might as yourself. The individuals who used to be referred to as ultrasound technicians are now more commonly referred to as sonographers. Sonographers play an important role in the field of medical imaging. They work with high-tech equipment that uses high frequency sound waves to detect and show a view of various internal body parts impossible to view any other way. Ultrasounds are also referred to as sonograms.
