The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) and
Northwest Imaging Forums (NWIF) today announced an educational
partnership to help train sonographers to perform contrast-enhanced
ultrasound (CEUS) examinations and administer intravenous
ultrasound contrast agents.
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The new IV training program follows the recent update of the
sonographer Scope of Practice, which expands the role of
sonographers in administering ultrasound contrast agents. The new
Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Medical
Sonographer was released last month by the Society of Diagnostic
Medical Sonographers.
“Sonographers play a crucial role in conducting ultrasound
examinations, and it is vital that they become proficient in IV
insertion and administration of ultrasound contrast agents so they
can provide state of the art diagnostic imaging and patient care,”
said Maria Stanczak, a member of the ICUS board of directors and
Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University in
Philadelphia.
The new IV training program will cover the benefits and uses of
CEUS, safety considerations, setup procedures, needle selection,
insertion techniques and specialized preparation for cardiac or
abdominal studies.
“CEUS is an extremely safe, reliable and valuable medical
imaging tool that can reduce repeat testing and lower diagnostic
imaging costs,” said Jessica Stout, a member of the ICUS board of
directors and Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory at Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Registration and additional information are available by
visiting:
https://icus-society.org/education/sonographer-training-resource-hub/#ivtraining
The first phase of the joint IV training program is comprised of
joint CEUS webinars for abdominal and cardiovascular imaging. The
second phase will include customized hands-on IV training sessions
offered by NWIF at individual medical centers.
“These practical training programs primarily target
sonographers, but they are also open to medical residents, fellows,
nurses, technicians and other healthcare professionals interested
in integrating CEUS into ultrasound practice,“ said Christina
Merrill, a member of the ICUS Board of Directors, Lead Sonographer
in the CEUS department at the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada.
During a CEUS exam, an ultrasound contrast agent is injected
intravenously to improve the clarity and functionality of the
ultrasound image. Ultrasound contrast agents do not contain dye or
create any known risk of kidney damage or deposit of contrast media
in the brain, and CEUS does not expose patients or staff to
ionizing radiation, she added.
Ultrasound contrast agents are sometimes called ultrasound
“enhancing” agents. They are distinguished from contrast agents
used with CT and MRI, which have less favorable safety
profiles.
“CEUS is shaping the future of ultrasound laboratories and IV
insertion is a vital skill that will be instrumental to providing
optimal diagnostic imaging and patient care,” said Joan Olson, an
ICUS board member and Manager of the Echocardiology Laboratory at
Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
“ICUS and NWIF will bring together world-renowned CEUS educators
to empower sonographers with the necessary expertise, shaping the
trajectory of medical practice for the better,” said Matt Wilson,
President of NWIF.
“This program will set sonographers and other medical
professionals on a path to diagnostic imaging excellence,” said Bev
Gorman, a member of the ICUS Board of Directors and recently
retired Director of Accreditation of Echocardiography for the
Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.
Ultrasound contrast agents are manufactured and sold in the US
and elsewhere by Bracco (Lumason and Sonovue), Lantheus (Definity,
Luminity and Definity RT) and GE Healthcare (Optison and
Sonazoid).
ICUS is a nonprofit global medical society dedicated to
expansion of CEUS utilization to improve patient care. ICUS does
not charge fees for membership, CME-accredited webinars on CEUS,
newsletters and other CEUS resources or programming. To join ICUS,
register and learn more, visit the ICUS website at
www.ICUS-Society.org, or download the free ICUS app for iPhone and
Android devices.
NWIF is a provider of continuing medical education programs that
focus on professional development for medical imaging.
ABOUT ICUS:
The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is a
nonprofit medical society dedicated to advancing the safe and
medically appropriate use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to
improve patient care globally. Membership in ICUS is available free
of charge and there is no fee for ICUS CME-accredited educational
programs, newsletters, or other resources.
To join ICUS and learn more about CEUS, download ICUS Connect
and visit the ICUS website (www.icus-society.org).
ABOUT NWIF:
Northwest Imaging Forums (NWIF) is a leading company
specializing in providing professional development and educational
resources for healthcare professionals in the field of medical
imaging. The company offers a wide range of forums, workshops,
conferences, and online courses tailored to meet the evolving needs
of radiologists, sonographers, technologists, and other imaging
specialists.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423887525/en/
International Contrast Ultrasound Society Linda Maiman
Feinstein, Advisor -- 847-624-1844 or 312-876-2563,
Linda.Feinstein@Dentons.com Robin J. Adams, Director of
Communication -- 202-408-3946, Robin.Adams@Dentons.com
Northwest Imaging Forums Matt Wilson, President -
matt@nwforums.com Shon Smith Vice President -
ssmith@nwforums.com