Our average times are being cut back, anyone elses?

I am working at a facility where the average 30 min. u/s abdomen, or pelvis (including transvag), has to be done in <20 mins,

renals <15mins including RI's

DVT's 20 mins. with compression, color flow and Augmentation

pediatrics <20 mins.

fetals including some level II including 4 chamber heart, LVOT, RVOT,<30mins..plus, we do a "Mommy/Daddy CD", (5 mins) and have correlation with the radiologist praying they don't have us go back and repeat any images..after they get off the phone..

Plus, we are not only required to do our own list of patients, but to accomodate add-on's from UCC, and physicians offices who believe that each patient is an "urgent matter"..and we cannot say "no", nor can we have overtime...

On top of this, if a patient complains, then we are to blame.."the customer's always right"..Apparently, a few of the patient complaints are "They feel as if they are being rushed"..so we must make them feel as if we really care, that we really are compassionate, sensitive, and caring....listen to their concerns, needs, etc..plus do the exam in a very "timely manner"..

Oh, and make sure the patient leaves feeling as if they've had a positive experience..

I don't think anything is mentioned about a proper diagnosis of pathology...

Most of us on the staff are < 1 year post grad..w/certifications..but i feel as if this is not the career i've eagerly studied for,..i feel as if i'm at In and Out Burgers..:(

sad but true! i have the same problem at my hospital! all exams are usually 1/2 hour except for arterials( bilateral) we get 1hr to 2 includeing segmental pressures.

its all about the $$$ now!

I see you two have some experience in this modality, which is why I wish to ply you with some questions, if I may. I am considering this field form having worked a few years in general rad. The school I'm considering is a community college program of 2 years duration. Why are most 1 year? The college says it is because their program is quite thorough. Cost: 7k$

What are some drawback to this field? Some highlights.

Thanks very much.

i agree you probably are working in a cow factory
start looking for places where medicine still means something!!

ultranewbie in Half Moon Bay, California said: I am working at a facility where the average 30 min. u/s abdomen, or pelvis (including transvag), has to be done in <20 mins,

renals <15mins including RI's

DVT's 20 mins. with compression, color flow and Augmentation

pediatrics <20 mins.

fetals including some level II including 4 chamber heart, LVOT, RVOT,<30mins..plus, we do a "Mommy/Daddy CD", (5 mins) and have correlation with the radiologist praying they don't have us go back and repeat any images..after they get off the phone..

Plus, we are not only required to do our own list of patients, but to accomodate add-on's from UCC, and physicians offices who believe that each patient is an "urgent matter"..and we cannot say "no", nor can we have overtime...

On top of this, if a patient complains, then we are to blame.."the customer's always right"..Apparently, a few of the patient complaints are "They feel as if they are being rushed"..so we must make them feel as if we really care, that we really are compassionate, sensitive, and caring....listen to their concerns, needs, etc..plus do the exam in a very "timely manner"..

Oh, and make sure the patient leaves feeling as if they've had a positive experience..

I don't think anything is mentioned about a proper diagnosis of pathology...

Most of us on the staff are < 1 year post grad..w/certifications..but i feel as if this is not the career i've eagerly studied for,..i feel as if i'm at In and Out Burgers..:(

charlotte in Miami, Florida said: i agree you probably are working in a cow factory
start looking for places where medicine still means something!!

I agree with everything you say. Some patients can be very intimidating and demanding and I feel I need to be chapperoned.
Obstetric patients do not understand that it is a medical exam, and expect to be entertained. Even bringing crisps into watch the scan and using mobile phones. If you say anything they complain.

tweetypie in Andover, United Kingdom said: I agree with everything you say. Some patients can be very intimidating and demanding and I feel I need to be chapperoned.
Obstetric patients do not understand that it is a medical exam, and expect to be entertained. Even bringing crisps into watch the scan and using mobile phones. If you say anything they complain.

yep, i'm with ya' there! i wish there are times i have never been certified in OB. it's sad the way it's changing. we're expect to have entire exam done in < 30 mins. then invite the family in for a 5 min. viewing, plus a CD as a keepsake, and make sure we have the "sex of the baby" on it. then have the paper work done, correlate with the radiologist.

I've had family members bring in video camcorders, cameras, cell phone cameras. When you tell them this is not acceptable, they will complain. not about the equipment - but the sonographer was a b&*(&.

No one ever mentioned the "hormones" of OB. I had a child myself - but i never acted this way during an exam. I've even had patients come in tell me how they want their exam done. I can no longer wear my brown shoes when doing OB's. they're too "intimidating", so i was asked to wear white shoes.

I, too, feel as if i have to be chaperoned because when the "mother to be" doesn't get what she wants (results: "is the baby normal? is the baby okay? can you tell me if anything is wrong with the baby?") - after the report is given, they scape-goat the sonographer. and of course, the husband gets carried along with it, because they're both scared and need to blame someone for the choroid plexus cysts, or placenta previas.

i was even told "I thought this was supposed to be more entertaining".