Basic Ultrasound Techniques

Sonography Fundamentals

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

This introductory module teaches you the basic principles and techniques required to begin general ultrasound scanning, and guides you step-by-step through some basic scans.

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This introductory module teaches you the basic principles and techniques required to begin general ultrasound scanning, and guides you step-by-step through some basic scans. The online simulator offers three different scan scenarios, using abdominal anatomy, so you can learn the scanning process, step by step.

This module is ideal if you are starting your sonography education or if you just want an introduction to the sonography profession. The content has been produced to support study for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry exams.

You’ll learn

general ultrasound terminology and definitions
key concepts such as scan planes (sagittal, transverse, oblique), image orientation, cross-sectional anatomy
what you need to consider when preparing and positioning a patient for a scan
generic knobology that applies to ultrasound equipment
the steps in performing an ultrasound scan (abdomen example) - you’ll get a chance to practice your skills with the interactive simulator, then test your knowledge
methods for obtaining optimum ultrasound images, including transducer approaches, manipulations, patient breathing techniques
how to annotate ultrasound images and measure structures
professional considerations, such as how to prevent musculoskeletal injury
much more (see Content tab for more detail)

Step 1 - Overview

Step 1.1 - Orientation

Step 1.1.1 - Anatomical directions

Step 1.1.2 - Planes or body sections

Step 1.1.3 - On-screen orientation

Step 1.1.4 - Abdominal quadrants and regions

Step 1.2 - Cross sectional anatomy

Step 1.3 - Abdominal vascular landmarks

Step 2 - Pre procedure considerations

Step 2.1 - Patient preparation

Step 2.2 - History

Step 2.3 - Patient position

Step 3 - Procedure

Step 3.1 - Image optimization

Step 3.2 - Transducer manipulation

Step 3.3 - Approaches

Step 3.4 - Breathing

Step 3.5 - Windows

Step 3.6 - Survey scan

Step 3.7 - Protocol

Step 3.8 - Annotation

Step 3.9 - Measurement

Step 4 - Post procedure considerations

Step 4.1 - Patient

Step 4.2 - Preliminary report

Step 5 - Professional considerations

Step 5.1 - Ergonomics

Step 5.2 - Professional involvement

Define and explain related ultrasound terminology
Identify orientation on the ultrasound image
Identify and obtain cross-sectional anatomy on ultrasound images
Identify vascular landmarks used in abdominal imaging
Describe and explain the significance of obtaining a relevant patient history
Describe and explain the reason for patient preparation for ultrasound examinations
Describe and demonstrate the reason for patient positioning for ultrasound examinations
Manipulate the transducer in sagittal, transverse, and oblique planes
Demonstrate different transducer approaches and manipulations used to obtain optimum images on different body types
Describe and explain the reason for patient breathing techniques in order to obtain optimum images
Identify and utilize acoustic windows in order to obtain optimum ultrasound images
Describe and explain the requirements for annotation of ultrasound images
Describe the technique for measuring structures on ultrasound images
Using a standard format, write a technical impression
Demonstrate and describe methods for preventing musculoskeletal injury
Explain the importance of belonging to a professional

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long

For more details on features and how your students can benefit from our unique system, click here.