Portable ultrasound system: explain to your patients the integration of clinical ultrasound

Clinical ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that enables healthcare professionals to visualize the organs and tissues of the human body in real time. It is important to note that this discipline has made spectacular progress and is recommended by the world's leading learned societies. When the equipment is available, its use is not just a nice-to-have, but a must.

However, for patients to get the most out of this examination, it is essential that the practitioner takes the time to explain why he or she is about to perform a clinical ultrasound and how this can help in medical management. 

Explaining clinical ultrasound

Clinical ultrasound is a set of ultrasound imaging signs that we can collect during the clinical examination. It is a reliable and rapid means of pinpointing the diagnosis, complementing standard practices such as auscultation and palpation. It helps determine which organs are affected and assess the severity of the situation.

The difference between clinical ultrasound and "classic" ultrasound

Clinical ultrasound is like auscultation or otoscopy: it's a natural extension of the physical examination, but no substitute for an ultrasound scan. The latter, performed by radiologists, is a precision examination that enables lesions to be detected and precisely characterized. 

Clinical ultrasound is characterized by its speed and focus on specific areas, helping to confirm diagnostic hypotheses and effectively guide patients through their course of treatment. Thanks to advances in modern technology, devices such as the ultraportable ultrasound scanner offer the possibility of carrying out ultrasound scans quickly and efficiently, anywhere and as soon as any sign of ambiguity risks compromising or delaying the patient's clinical orientation.

The examination process

It's important to explain to your patient not only that you're performing a clinical ultrasound (and not a complementary examination), but also what to expect during an ultrasound examination. 

Even though we believe it's a simple, quick and painless examination, explaining its basics will help reassure the patient, especially if this is the first time he or she has been examined with an ultraportable ultrasound machine in the office.

The patient generally lies on an examination table, and a gel is applied to the skin to enable the ultrasound probe to glide easily and transmit sound waves efficiently. Depending on the part of the body you're looking to observe, you may ask them to breathe, hold their breath for a few seconds, or adapt their position to suit their anatomy. 

Introduce the different types of ultrasound: abdominal, pelvic, cardiac, musculoskeletal, thyroid and others. Each is used to answer specific questions. Take the time to specify their use in terms of their relevance to your field of practice.

Exam security

This type of examination is safe, non-invasive and painless. Ultrasound is a safe imaging method that has been used for decades. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, it does not involve ionizing radiation, which makes it safe, especially for pregnant women, infants and patients requiring repeated examinations.

Interpreting images

The images generated will be interpreted by the practitioner, directly during the examination. Don't hesitate to show your patient the images and explain them to him/her, making sure he/she understands them. This will help them to have a clear vision of any conditions diagnosed or to be monitored. 

Involving the patient in your diagnostic approach is an important part of the treatment process, particularly with a view to encouraging patient compliance. Ultrasound imaging enables patients to visualize their symptoms, which in turn helps to educate them about the disease, and to build a quality relationship based on evidence that can be interpreted by the patient him/herself.

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