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Do you want to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs in the long term? Upgrading your ultrasound offers real-time, patient-friendly imaging, which is essential in the healthcare industry.
In this scientific literature, there is a great potential use for portable ultrasound devices–also called point of care ultrasounds (POCUS)–in rural and remote settings in Australia,
Whether you need to replace an outdated ultrasound or are planning for your first system as a practitioner, there are many things you need to consider.
According to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, medical ultrasounds fall into two categories: diagnostic and therapeutic.
A diagnostic ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that images inside the body. Ultrasound probes–called transducers–produce sound waves that have thresholds above human hearing, which is above 20KHz.
Therapeutic ultrasound is non-invasive, using sound waves higher than human hearing, but it doesn’t produce images. This ultrasound interacts with the tissues of the body that are either destroyed or modified, which can move or push tissue, heat tissue, dissolve blood clots, or deliver drugs to areas of the body.
Whether you’re a doctor studying a developing foetus, a person’s pelvic or abdominal organs, muscles, tendons, hearts or blood vessels, there are things to consider before purchasing one.
When making a new ultrasound purchase, a primary consideration is the quantity of machines that you need for your department.
For example, the number of trainees in the department is an important factor. Smaller departments with less than ten trainees would typically have 1 to 2 machines to meet clinical and training requirements. 20 trainees would need 2 to4 machines, and larger hospitals 4 or more machines.
Often, manufacturers offer discounts when purchasing multiple units, so you should definitely consider replacing outdated or damaged units!
Liaising with departments such as Anaesthetics, Intensive Care, and Obstetrics may also allow funds to be pooled and provide opportunities for further savings. Always ask a healthcare supplier for more information on how they can help.
There are a wide range of sizes of machines utilised in point-of-care ultrasound, such as the selection of cart-based, laptop, wall-mounted, or hand-held unit varies upon the needs of a medicine department.
Portability, image quality, size, networking and image storage, battery life, and budget will always influence the type of machine you buy.
Even the most careful and experienced health practitioners can deal with machine damage due to wear, tear or accidental damage.
To prevent this, it is essential to pick a machine with durable transducers and the ability to stow transducers and power cables safely. This overall reduces the likelihood of damage, machine downtime, and subsequent repairs.
No matter how many years you’ve worked in your field, seeking opinions from other departments cannot be overestimated!
Years of experience with ultrasound machine strengths, weaknesses, and after-sales support will always provide more insight than a manufacturer, especially if you’ve agreed to a trial period to use it. To learn more about how to improve your medical settings, have a read of the proven benefits of pressure mattresses for bedridden patients!
Ultrasound machines must be readily available for emergency patients when required, with appropriate transducers and peripherals for timely use.
A quick machine boot-up time—from both “sleep” and “off” states—is critical for point-of-care ultrasound in emergency departments.
Since power outlets aren’t always available for a scan, you will want a machine with a longer battery life.
Controls should be intuitive and easily accessible for beginner ultrasound users and visiting clinicians who might be unfamiliar.
The machine should be easy to manoeuvre and narrow enough to use in cubicles and resuscitation settings.
Prior to the purchase of an ultrasound unit, you must clearly understand the duration of a manufacturer warranty and ongoing servicing arrangements
This degree of warranty coverage for specific faults or accidental damages (such as transducer or cable damage) needs to be understood as well by medical practitioners. Additionally, if you’re based in a regional or remote hospital, the turnaround time for replacement equipment must be reliable, especially if malfunction or critical damage occurs.
Purchasing a curvilinear transducer, a high-frequency linear transducer, or a phased array transducer can cover the majority of scanning requirements.
For example, smaller footprint, high-frequency linear transducers can be purchased for procedures such as paediatric vascular access. Depending on the practitioner’s experience and department needs, intracavitary transducers (including transvaginal and transesophageal transducers) could be considered.
Images from any ultrasound machine should be systematic, DICOM compatible, and automatically stored on the hospital’s PACs system.
Regardless of the size of the ultrasound machine, storage systems should also comply with national data protection regulations. This functionality and compliance of storage and networking systems are important; any anticipated future networking requirements should be factored into any purchase.
Providing adequate probe disinfection and reducing cross-infection between patients is more important than ever, especially since contagious viruses like COVID-19.
Clarify suitable probe covers and disinfection products, as well as compliance with local disinfection procedures and high-level disinfection prior to purchase. Features of the ultrasound – such as flat-surfaced keyboards and non-recessed controls – are essential features that facilitate easy cleaning.
When an ultrasound machine is delivered, all ultrasound users should receive an in-service regarding the use and optimisation of the new machine.
A customised set-up of the ultrasound unit by the manufacturer should also occur to support imaging presets and establish network connections. Further technical assistance (ideally through a sonographer) is essential for ongoing support and should be ready and accessible for addressing technical issues and general troubleshooting.
If you want information specific to your department and what may work best, speak to the Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Group Australia or the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
Medical imaging technologies and advancements are always changing in terms of their features, superior image quality, and improving comfort for patients. Let’s look at some of the ultrasound machines you can order.
The Intelect Transport 2 Combo is a two-channel electrotherapy, ultrasound therapy, and combo system used with or without an optional cart.
5 waveforms are included for electrical stimulation: inferential, Premod, Russian, High Volt and VMS. Fully functional 1 and 3.3 MHz ultrasound frequencies are also included.
The device comes standard with a 5 cm2 ultrasound applicator with additional sizes available. Coupling detection settings also give the option to alert the clinician when the applicator has become decoupled from the patient by an audible beep and stop the treatment timer. A quick connect magnetic cart attachment allows for easy clinic-to-field use, and no tools are needed for connecting or disconnecting.
The Intelect Transport 2 Ultrasound is an ultrasound therapy system used with or without an optional cart. Frequencies of 1 or 3 MHz are available with pulsed or continuous duty cycles (10%, 20%, 50%, and 100%). What are some of the key features?
Consider your patient volume, the types of procedures performed (such as looking at the pelvic area), and the level of staff expertise, such as your assistant nurses. For example, you may need a high volume of fast image processing or more advanced features as a specialty women’s health clinic.
Whether you work as a physiotherapist or gynaecologist, you’ll need an ultrasound that suits your level of care. Access Health provides you with portable ultrasound machines that have an ergonomic design, temporal resolution, and more, giving you diagnostic confidence for your clinical setting.
As a reputable supplier, Access Health contributes to quality patient care with medical equipment–including ultrasound equipment–that meets the strict standards for medical care.
Established in 1978, Access Health has grown into a major supplier of Daily Living and Mobility, Electrotherapy, Measurement and Evaluation, Patient Handling, Practice Supplies, and more Brands for healthcare professionals. As major distributors for Plinth 2000, 3PP Medical Supports, RepBand, ETAC Aids, and are ISO 9001 certified to the International Quality Standard.
If you need an ultrasound or something specific, contact us today for a quote, add to cart online, or request our NDIS Order Form!
Disclaimer: Access Health is not qualified to agree or deny whether this content is correct. For accurate information, consult your medical professional or provider.
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