Sonography is a diagnostic procedure that is typically performed by certified sonographers, or health care providers who studied diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) as their undergraduate program. Over the past 40 years, sonography found its niche in obstetrics and gynecology, playing a very big role in prenatal diagnosis and care. It was first introduced in the early 1950s, sonographers had to be specially trained for four years in a DMS program to practice. Today, this is not the case.
The job of a sonographer
Technically speaking, sonographers are medical technicians who are trained to operate a sonogram machine and use it on patients. However, sonographers are first and foremost health care providers. They are trained to analyze the images from a sonogram and to discuss with other members of the health care team regarding adequate medical management, usually on the side of diagnostics. They have to good hand-eye coordination and analysis skills in order to adequately perform sonography.
Incorporating sonography into nursing practice
According to Menihan (2000), sonography has been integrated into nursing practice since the 1980s. When nurses first began performing sonography, it was called LOBU – short for limited obstetric ultrasound. Primarily, the term limited was used because nurses then had very little training in sonography compared to certified sonographers so the procedure they would perform was mostly supplemental to a more complete anatomic exam done previously.
But this is no longer the case with an updated curricula offered by accredited colleges and universities. There are just over 200 schools that have been accredited in 2014 by CAAHEP. Ultrasonography schools have started allowing HCPs who are graduates of other allied health programs to take shorter sonographer training programs, with varying specialties.
But this is no longer the case with an updated curricula offered by accredited colleges and universities. There are just over 200 schools that have been accredited in 2014 by CAAHEP. Ultrasonography schools have started allowing HCPs who are graduates of other allied health programs to take shorter sonographer training programs, with varying specialties.
Advantages of nurses who are trained in sonography
Nurses are one of the main health care providers of patients. On a day-to-day basis, they carry out the orders from physicians regarding the medical management of patients. They are also the HCPs responsible for monitoring the patient during their eight-hour (or longer) shifts, taking note of what independent nursing actions can be performed.
When nurses are able to perform sonography, they can analyze and manage in real time, no longer needing a different department to do the analysis which still has to be forwarded to the physician who then makes the order. This saves a lot of time, effort, and resources – focusing more energy on immediately managing the patient’s needs. Hands-on workshops
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According to studies, nurses who simply don’t have time to train under a DMS program – certification, associate, bachelor, or otherwise- have the option of training in a hands-on workshop in their respective health care facilities. The guidelines for having an in-house sonography workshop include advanced client models or actual patients, small groups, immediate access to trainers, and a middle ground between training and work environments.
A study that observed the effectiveness of an in-house workshop had very positive results. There were great improvements in terms of technical and analysis skills for all HCPs who took part in the training. An important part to consider was progression of their sonography skills through an ongoing learning process handled by the facility.
Further Reading:
A good article to compare Registered Nurse Careers with Sonography Career
A study that observed the effectiveness of an in-house workshop had very positive results. There were great improvements in terms of technical and analysis skills for all HCPs who took part in the training. An important part to consider was progression of their sonography skills through an ongoing learning process handled by the facility.
Further Reading:
A good article to compare Registered Nurse Careers with Sonography Career