Ultrasound Guidance Enables More Difficult Peripheral Vein Access
This Philly.com story on the advantages of ultrasound needle guidance and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's findings is not only informative but is written in a particularly engageing style accessible to a wide readership. An informed public goes a long way in helping to reinforce the value of clinical ultrasound's multiple benefits.Here is an excerpt from the article by Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer Stacey Burling:. . . An emergency physician at George Washington University Hospital found that use of central lines, the fallback when the staff can't connect to a peripheral vein,…
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Takes "One Small Step for Scan..."
Ultrasound researcher and Henry Ford Hospital physician Scott Dulchavsky, MD, PhD, was recently inducted into the National Space Technology Hall of Fame for techniques his team developed to empower point-of-care ultrasound. He is working with Sonosite to modify ultrasound training methods developed for the space programme for point-of-care applications on Earth.In this photo, he is using a Sonosite S-MSK to demonstrate the technology to Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Dr. Aldrin [who holds a doctorate of science in astronautics from MIT] commented that ultrasound would be promising on future space…
Interscalene Catheter with Google Glass by Dr. Brandon Winchester
A cleverly recorded ultrasound-guided interscalene catheter procedure. The block video was made exclusively with the video camera and microphone built into Google Glass. Possibly Google Glass may not have been used to record an ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block or continuous catheter procedure yet! Enjoy, and special thanks to Dr. Brandon Winchester for hosting it public on www.blockjocks.comDr. Brandon Winchester LINK to video :http://www.blockjocks.com/fiaY/interscalene–catheter-with-google–glass
AIUM Recognizes ACEP's Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines
While not all portable ultrasound examinations are of an emergency nature, its predominant use originated within the “we-need-it-STAT” category. Hence, the significant role of emergency medicine in contributing to point-of-care ultrasound best practices and insight into the valuable role ultrasonography can play at the bedside.
In mid-November, the contributions of emergency physicians to the proper use of “focused emergency ultrasound examinations” (a.k.a. point-of-care ultrasound) was acknowledged by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). According to their November 17,…
A Big Thank-You From Tenwek, Kenya
This story reminds us yet again how lives can be saved when dedicated teamwork combines with progressive medical technology.
An international team of Sonosite employees raced against the clock to deliver a replacement ultrasound machine to Tenwek, Kenya, for a medical emergency at rural Tenwek Hospital, a two-hour drive from Nairobi. A cardiac team had been in place for ultrasound-guided heart-valve surgeries when their machine (made by another company) failed. Another surgeon, who had been using Sonosite machines to screen children in the developing world for rheumatic heart disease,…
ASA “Practise Guidelines for Central Venous Access” Published
It may be an exaggeration to suggest that every other month a new guideline or requirement is released by a professional medical body recommending or directing that ultrasound—especially bedside (a.k.a., point-of-care) ultrasound—be incorporated into clinical best practises, but often it feels like it.Case in point: In my last CMO Corner, I commented on the AIUM recognising the American College of Emergency Physician’s Policy Statement “Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines,” which acknowledged point-of-care ultrasound as part of emergency care’s best practises.Not long ago, new ACGME Programme…
Studies Indicate CT Scan Overuse, Radiation Overexposure
Recently the medical literature has documented the growing use of CT scans. It is certainly no secret that, when circumstances warrant, Sonosite advocates for the consideration of ultrasound first over other imaging modalities. A CT scan is a powerful and valuable test when used appropriately and—as with all medical procedures—when its therapeutic value is carefully weighed against its potential harm. Yet, while acknowledging CT’s value, I can’t ignore mounting evidence indicating CT scans are being ordered more often than are necessary or safe.
According to a June 13, 2012, JAMA report “…
Morocco Trial Shows Remote Ultrasound Can Expand Access and Improve Maternal Care.
In the remote reaches of rural areas and developing countries there is continuous demand to accessible solutions that provide reliable, faster, and affordable clinical care. Every day, around the world, approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Of those deaths, 40 percent are due to injuries or conditions related to placenta complications. The only way to detect abnormal placenta challenges is through an ultrasound exam.
In the rural areas of Morocco, previously pregnant women had to wait up to two weeks to obtain the…
Becker’s Hospital Review published an article by Paul Paul R. Sierzenski, MD entitled Smarter Use of Imaging Technology Helps Reduce Hospital Errors and Healthcare Costs
February 9, 2015
The Good News About Healthcare Reform: Smarter Use of Imaging Technology Helps Reduce Hospital Errors, Healthcare Costs
Paul Sierzenski, MD
Medical errors continue to be a major problem in the US healthcare system, with hospital acquired infections (HAC) becoming an area of greater focus and where significant financial penalties are being incurred. Medicare has added one especially dangerous--or even potentially fatal--adverse event, iatrogenic pneumothorax during central line placement, to its HAC list. Along with putting patients in peril, the mistake can also increase…
A $330 Million Risk: What Boards Should Know About New Medicare Penalties for Hospital Errors
2014-10-14T07:00:00Rodney Hochman, MD, Group President and CEO of Providence Health & ServicesIn his article that advises American Hospital Association member trustees, Rodney Hockman, MD warns that hundreds of hospitals are likely to be penalized by Medicare for patient injuries under the Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program starting in October 2014. He points out that each penalized hospital stands to lose nearly $434,000 in Medicare reimbursements on average, with large hospital systems and those with a high volume of Medicare payments potentially facing much greater…
Smarter Use of Imaging Technology: Reduce Errors Costs
The Good News About Healthcare Reform: Smarter Use of Imaging Technology Helps Reduce Hospital Errors, Healthcare Costs
Paul Sierzenski, MD
Medical errors continue to be a major problem in the US healthcare system, with hospital acquired infections (HAC) becoming an area of greater focus and where significant financial penalties are being incurred. Medicare has added one especially dangerous--or even potentially fatal--adverse event, iatrogenic pneumothorax during central line placement, to its HAC list. Along with putting patients in peril, the mistake can also increase hospital costs by up…
Ultrasound Can Diagnose and Prevent Pneumothorax
by Dr. Diku MandaviaIt's ironic that one of the most efficient ways to detect pneumothorax in patients is also one of the most effective ways to prevent two of its more common clinical causes.While scenarios that might trigger the suspicion of pneumothorax are too numerous to list, screening for it has included the standard trinity of chest-imaging procedures: x-rays, tomography, and ultrasound.Ultrasound not only helps to diagnose pneumothorax, but it can play a significant role in helping to prevent it. A leading procedural cause for it in hospital settings is a failed central line…
A $330 Million Risk: What Boards Should Know About New Medicare Penalties for Hospital Errors
2014-10-14T07:00:00Rodney Hochman, MD, Group President and CEO of Providence Health & ServicesIn his article that advises American Hospital Association member trustees, Rodney Hockman, MD warns that hundreds of hospitals are likely to be penalized by Medicare for patient injuries under the Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program starting in October 2014. He points out that each penalized hospital stands to lose nearly $434,000 in Medicare reimbursements on average, with large hospital systems and those with a high volume of Medicare payments potentially facing much greater…
Smarter Use of Imaging Technology: Reduce Errors Costs
The Good News About Healthcare Reform: Smarter Use of Imaging Technology Helps Reduce Hospital Errors, Healthcare Costs
Paul Sierzenski, MD
Medical errors continue to be a major problem in the US healthcare system, with hospital acquired infections (HAC) becoming an area of greater focus and where significant financial penalties are being incurred. Medicare has added one especially dangerous--or even potentially fatal--adverse event, iatrogenic pneumothorax during central line placement, to its HAC list. Along with putting patients in peril, the mistake can also increase hospital costs by up…
Final 2016 Medicare Inpatient Rule Contains Provisions to Promote Patient Safety
2015-09-28T07:00:00Final 2016 Medicare Inpatient Rule Contains Provisions to Promote Patient SafetyJill RathbunJill Rathbun of Galileo Consulting, in her continuing contribution to Dot.Med, explains key points for the FY 2016 CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment Final Rule. Ultrasound plays a role in the Hospital Acquired Condition Program and may contribute to lowering complications.Read article
Ultrasound-Guided Procedures: Financial and Safety Benefits
2015-09-28T04:00:00ICU ManagementDiku Mandavia, MD, FACEP, FRCPC, Chief Medical Officer at Sonosite, and clinical associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Southern CaliforniaDr. Mandavia discusses how ultrasound guidance adds value to both patient safety and removing costs from healthcare delivery.Read article
An Active September in the Nation's Capital
2015-11-23T08:00:00DOT.MedJill RathbunContinuing in a series of Federal policy updates, Jill Rathbun of Galileo Consulting provides the latest news on imaging policy and paymentsRead article
Reduce Iatrogenic pneumothorax
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Memorial Hermann Healthcare System attained zero iatrogenic pneumothorax complications in multiple hospitals for a full year.The Healthcare System accomplished this incredible feat in several of its prestigious hospitals, including Memorial Hermann Southeast, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, Children’s Memorial Hermann, Memorial Hermann Katy, Memorial Hermann Northeast, Memorial Hermann Northwest, as well as eight community hospital emergency…
Memorial Hermann
A Success StorySee why Memorial Hermann's physicians prefer driving with total vision, then find out how we can help
Trice Imaging, Inc. and FUJIFILM Sonosite Announce iViz Portable Ultrasound Device Integration at Health 2.0
Trice Imaging, a leading provider in the medical image management industry, announced today at Health 2.0 the integration of Tricefy into FUJIFILM Sonosite’s latest portable ultrasound device. The iViz, which was recently CE marked for sale in Europe and currently pending FDA 510(k) clearance, is the latest point-of-care visualisation solution by FUJIFILM Sonosite and includes Trice sharing, collabouration and routing software embedded in the device. Trice Imaging Inc. and FUJIFILM Sonosite will together demonstrate the technology during a session, covering care delivery platforms…