When you think of an ultrasound, you probably think of the medical technology used to see images of a baby during pregnancy. But did you know that ultrasound exams are also used to take images of many different parts of the body? The images produced by these exams are used by physicians to detect and assess a wide range of medical conditions.
The medical professionals who perform ultrasound exams are called diagnostic medical sonographers. They use special equipment to capture images of patients’ internal organs, tissues, and blood flow. Many sonographers specialize in performing ultrasound exams on a certain area of the body, such as the abdomen, reproductive system, brain, or eyes.
Before beginning an ultrasound exam, sonographers review their patients’ medical files, including information about any previous tests. They also explain the procedure to the patient, making sure he or she understands exactly what will happen. Next, the sonographer positions the patient on the examination table, and spreads gel over the area of the patient’s body to be examined. Once this preparation is complete, the sonographer uses specialized equipment to capture the images.
Ultrasound images are captured using sound waves. The sonographer places a small device called a “transducer” on the patient. The transducer sends out high frequency sound waves. This causes “echoes” to be sent back from inside the body, which are recorded by the transducer. The echoes are sent to a specialized computer where they are translated into images that can be viewed on a screen.
Sonographers need to get the best images possible. To do this, they may need to move the transducer around, change the position of the patient, or adjust settings on the computer. Once they are satisfied with the images shown on the screen, sonographers make notes about what they see. For example, they may take measurements or make note of a fluid build-up. The captured images are then recorded and stored by the sonographer.
When the exam is complete, sonographers select the images to be shown to the radiologist (a physician specializing in imaging technologies), who interprets the results and makes a diagnosis. Ultrasound images are used to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and abdominal problems. They also help physicians monitor pregnancies.
Sonographers are often required to write reports for physicians to read, in which they present the findings of the ultrasound. Other duties performed by diagnostic medical sonographers include updating and maintaining patients’ records, scheduling sonography appointments, and cleaning their equipment.
NOC Code: 3216