3 Tips For Selecting A Portable Ultrasound Machine
by Julia Gregory
Investing in a portable ultrasound machine for medical facilities is an excellent addition to any setting. With numerous features, it can be difficult to pinpoint what is the right combination of features for your medical setting. Before you decide, there are several factors you should consider.
Make A Long-Term Investment
Many medical facilities, such as clinical settings, do not have ultrasound machines on-site. The upfront cost can make it seem impractical and you will need to have at least one person on-site who is qualified to perform and do preliminary readings for ultrasounds. However, making the initial investment can be worth the cost to both clinical setting and patients.
For patients, referring them out to the hospital or another free-standing outpatient facility for diagnostic tests is typically billed at a higher rate than procedures and tests done in the office. Keeping more of your diagnostic testing on-site can also reduce mishandling of referrals and results. Even in the digital age of electronic health records, problems can still occur with referring patients to other facilities for diagnostic tests. This often leads to frustration and wasted time for both the facility and patient.
Consider Advanced Features
As the features for any ultrasound machine increase, so does the cost. This can lead to your facility avoiding the added costs of advanced technology for ultrasound equipment. Making a better investment in more features when choosing an ultrasound machine means the same machine can be used in additional ways. For example, some models of ultrasound machines are compatible with probes that can be used in most any specialty of medicine.
Advanced features are especially important when considering diagnostic imaging in acute care settings, such as the emergency room or urgent care centers. You want access to portable medical equipment that is able to help you visualize both small and large structures with ease. This also translates into making a quicker judgement call on the type of care the patient needs and if further imaging is required before moving patients, especially those who are medically unstable.
See In Color
There is no clear winner when it comes to purchasing a black and white or color ultrasound machine, because they both have unique benefits depending on the structures you are attempting to visualize. The use of color in ultrasound can add another layer of diagnostic assistance, especially when considering vascular cases. Color ultrasounds help show the direction and intensity of blood flow through blood vessels and heart.
Having color ultrasound on-site can be useful beyond acute care settings. Neurology and cardiology specialties are likely to encounter vascular problems in their patients. Some models can double as a black and white ultrasound machine and continue to be used as normal for other clinical cases. By choosing a color ultrasound you add more versatility when investing in a portable ultrasound machine.
Selecting a portable ultrasound machine, like the SonoScape a6v model, is not always easy, especially if you are considering whether or not you should have one on-site. There are numerous benefits to most medical practices and patients by offering on-site imaging tools.
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About Me
The decision to move one of my parents into assisted living was one of the most difficult I have ever made. I had extreme feelings of guilt that led to me being at the facility with my parent practically around the clock. It took a few months before I realized that I could not let my own life fall apart from the guilt I was feeling. I also learned that my parent was fine without me constantly hovering around. Since that time, I have had several friends express similar feelings of guilt. I started this blog to help others in the same situation understand not only their feelings about assisted living, but those of their parents.