Ultrasound technology can generate additional revenue for your gynecology practice and help you build a happier, more loyal patient base. And best of all, the infrastructure needed to get started is fairly minimal.
As long as you have an electrical outlet, an internet connection and office space, you're ready to install and use an ultrasound system. Your office space doesn't even need to be substantial — most systems are compact and portable, able to slide into a small corner or underutilized alcove. Depending on your needs and preferred equipment model, you may not even need a designated room for ultrasound scans.
Although the basics listed above are straightforward, the hard part is determining your practice's staffing needs and the information technology components required to maximize the value of your ultrasound investment. Below are some key points for gynecologists to consider.
Staffing and Training
Using ultrasound to its utmost ability may require some additional training, or even the hiring of sonographers. If your funds are limited, you can avoid the need for additional staffing and overcome knowledge limitations by leveraging connections with experts. Many ultrasound systems allow for easy image sharing, so you can perform the scans and consult with experts to read the images.
Basic in-house training can be completed in a few days with self-paced educational programs. For more detailed training and continued learning, specifically about evaluating and diagnosing pelvic masses, look for educational opportunities both online and in-person.
Image Storage and Sharing
As with much of today's medical technology, the most important question practitioners must answer before beginning any new program is how to handle the information obtained. To start an ultrasound program, you must first know how you will store and share the images.
All ultrasound scans must be stored in the patient's record, so something that integrates easily into your existing electronic medical record (EMR) system is essential. Because storage needs are immense these days, most people use a secure, HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based option. Tricefy (TM) is a storing and sharing system that is based in the cloud and is imbedded in all Voluson(TM) ultrasound products. Practices with connections to larger organizations may have the option to use their picture archiving and communication system (PACS).
You also need to know how to easily and efficiently obtain, view, share and store images within your system. Tools such as ViewPoint 6 provide a user-friendly interface to pull up images, create reports, link to patient history and more. ViewPoint allows you to create templates for regular reports, and it integrates with your existing EMR and PACS. It also acts as standalone storage if needed.
Meeting Patient Expectations With Ultrasound Technology
Ultrasound technology helps your practice thrive in an environment with high patient expectations and a constant demand for quality and cost reduction. 3D and 4D ultrasound images rival those of CT and MRI and can be used in most gynecological exams. This allows you to keep patients in your practice, offer them a lower-cost imaging solution and quickly begin generating revenue from your investment.
