Month: May 2025

An Invaluable Ultrasound Tool: Sonographers Review TeleScan®

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What does a telesonographer® really think about TeleScan? We’re glad you asked! This month we spoke with several of the sonographers who work with TeleScan and asked them to rate its effectiveness in several areas. We also asked about how their telesonography® work experience compares to in-clinic scanning. Think of it like a product review, brought to you by true sonography experts—and we mean experts. Each one meets the following credentials:

  • Graduated a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program

  • Holds active registries in OB/GYN and Fetal Echocardiography through the ARDMS

  • Holds active Nuchal Translucency, Nasal Bone, and Cervical Length Education and Review credentials

  • Has a minimum of two years of maternal fetal medicine sonography experience

Now that you know about our reviewing experts, let’s briefly introduce TeleScan.

Overview of the technology

TeleScan is a telesonography-as-a-service software that connects providers and their patients with expert perinatal sonographers. It boasts FDA clearance, HIPAA-compliance, and supports AIUM accreditation criteria.

Here’s how it works: Underutilized healthcare workers (typically medical assistants) learn to capture cine clips and upload them to the platform. There, the cine clips are reviewed by a certified perinatal telesonographer who provides annotations and measurements and compiles a preliminary diagnostic report. When the report is ready, the provider accesses the report through the TeleScan software, and can modify the report, remeasure structures, add their conclusions, and sign before relaying results to the patient. Patients can also opt to have selected keepsake images sent to their phone.

It’s important to note TeleScan wasn’t built to replace bedside sonographer care, but to fill a gap where such care is unavailable. It augments access to prenatal ultrasound and acts as a gateway to specialist care for those patients who don’t otherwise have access.

Now it’s time to find out: do sonographers think this care model works?

Image quality is high, has same dependencies as in-clinic machines

The majority of telesonographers surveyed found TeleScan’s image quality to be very sharp, with one skeptical sonographer saying she was pleasantly surprised at the level of quality. Respondents pointed out several external dependencies that influence image quality, whether using TeleScan or traditional methods—things like body mass index, maternal habitus, fetal position, the quality of the machine being used. They also agreed that slowly captured images were of better quality than those that were captured quickly. One sonographer felt that with properly paced image capture, “Telescan’s image quality isn’t any different than if a sonographer was scanning.” Another responded, “With TeleScan’s imaging, I am able to see everything I would normally see in-clinic.”

High diagnostic accuracy leads to identification of even small abnormalities

Allowing for the same external dependencies mentioned previously, telesonographers feel TeleScan images enable high diagnostic accuracy. Pointing to helpful software features like image contrast adjustments and zoom, they are confident in their measurements, annotations, and reporting abilities. “The diagnostic accuracy is pretty great,” said one respondent. “I have noticed that I, along with other telesonographers, have been able to pick up abnormal findings, even if they are small findings.” A second respondent agreed, “It’s been very helpful in being able to see any anomalies that might be present.”

Software lends itself to efficiency, provides room for upgrades

Respondents believe TeleScan exams run efficiently, pointing to the software’s user-friendliness, the ability to prep areas of the report before images begin transferring, the use of templates to help complete certain sections, and the quickness of communication with the healthcare worker capturing the cine clips. Some respondents pointed to the experience level of the healthcare worker capturing the cine clips as a factor, but agreed that as experience increased, so did efficiency.

“Once I was trained and got the hang of it, Telescan had me performing exams, writing reports, and sending them to the physician in what felt like half the time it would have taken in-clinic,” said one respondent. “To me, that’s amazing! Especially when you are providing high-quality care to patients who previously would not have been able to receive that kind of care.”

Several respondents had specific recommendations regarding scrolling, button functions, and tab management—all of which are being addressed in an upcoming redesign. One sonographer was especially pleased that, “there’s always work being done on the quirks.”

For more on TeleScan’s demonstrated efficiency, check out our peer-reviewed white paper.

TeleScan workflow feels largely the same, has a slight edge over in-clinic workflow

The majority of respondents indicated telesonography and in-clinic workflows feel just about the same, with several suggesting there can be complications in both models. TeleScan image transfer can experience hiccups at times (especially early-on as we work out any bugs with our partners’ IT teams). On the other hand, in-clinic frustrations included getting pulled in other directions while trying to focus on the patient, needing to lookup patient info, having trouble finding an open ultrasound room, and waiting on the doctor to speak with the patient.

Some respondents mentioned that TeleScan’s workflows improve the patient experience. Patients can be in and out of their ultrasound much quicker, which in turn keeps the schedule moving for other appointments.

One respondent summed it up well, “Each type of workflow has its own pros and cons. I don’t necessarily think one is better than the other, but know they both have a place in this field.”

User-friendliness makes the telesonography transition easy

Despite the changes the telesonographers want to see in TeleScan screens, all agree that TeleScan in its current state scores high in user-friendliness. Respondents said clear instructions, understandable labeling, and completeness indicators lead to a general ease of use. Two respondents mentioned that TeleScan also continues to get more user-friendly with each subsequent update. One said, “The design team has taken our feedback and really prioritized the features that we need and use the most.”

Another respondent pointed to the ease of transitioning from onsite scanning to telesonography: “All you need are MFM skills and basic computer skills.”

Work-from-home environment reduces stress levels

While respondents acknowledged the stress that can come from tech issues with TeleScan, not a single one believes telesonography workdays are more stressful than their in-office counterpart. The majority, in fact, feel onsite workdays are more stressful, mostly due to a busier environment and an inability to focus on one thing at a time. Conversely, work-from-home benefits including the lack of a commute, more control over their environment, increased focus, and rest for their sore arms make TeleScan workdays less stressful for most.

A flexible schedule increases work-life balance

Work-from-home benefits also headlined our conversations about schedule flexibility. The lack of a commute plus the comfort of home results in a better work-life balance for most respondents. They also highlighted the ability to perform their jobs from anywhere with a secure internet connection. One respondent was especially glad to be home when her kids left and came back from school, and the flexibility to stay home with them when they’re sick without missing a day of work. Another pointed to the ability to take a short breather between patients: “I am able to relax my brain in between patients, which is so important. You want to be able to give each patient you see that day 100%, and that can be very hard when you are scanning one right after the other.”

The bottom line

As a new and innovative care model, TeleScan scores well among seasoned sonographers who have made the transition to telesonography. Its image quality, diagnostic accuracy, and workflows closely mirror what is available from a traditional ultrasound machine. Efficiency levels are also similar from a sonographer standpoint, but TeleScan provides an upgrade in efficiency on the patient side. TeleScan’s workday experience is also highly rated thanks to the software’s user-friendliness and the ability to work from home, which contributes to lower stress and more flexible schedules.

Please use the comments section below to let us know what other questions you have. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, check out our telesonographer application. To see more of the software and learn how to bring TeleScan to your clinic, click the button below:

Please note: the opinions in this article reflect the software’s capability as of January 2024.

How TA’s Can Enhance Your Team

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Last month we discussed technological advances and how they enhance quality of care as well as increase efficiency.  At BB Imaging we have found some unique individuals who do that for us as well.  We are incredibly thankful for our Technical Assistants (TAs). Many people are familiar with medical assistants at the doctor’s office. These are the folks who greet patients, take them to their rooms, get vitals, medical history and complete other clinical duties for the physicians. This service saves time for the doctors and makes for a more efficient visit for the patients.  Our TA team members perform much the same role for the ultrasound technician.  We arrive onsite as a team, our TA sets up the room, placing equipment, prepping the patient, and completing administrative duties. This valuable service allows our sonographers to come in and get straight to work. Not only does this cut down on the sonographer’s workload, but it also allows us to provide a more focused experience for the patient.

Adding this service was a critical business decision we made early on. After doing a time study we realized that only 60% of our sonographers’ time was spent actually scanning. Up to 40% of their workload involved performing administrative and procedural tasks. This was an eye opener for us and the catalyst to adopt the technical assistant model.  The addition of this position has allowed us to stay on time,  allow for add-ons, and complete reports on time, all the while making it a better work experience for our team (how many people can say that?!).

What began as an exercise in improving the bottom line has become a way of life for us; with the benefits clearly exceeding dollars and cents. Because of our technical assistants our patients receive a more focused and comprehensive diagnostic experience. As a mobile service we practice in many different facilities with different procedural systems.  There are even different procedures within the same facility depending on which department we serve. Our technical assistants are a Jack (or Jill) of all trades as they serve as liaison between the sonographer, the physicians, office staff, and patients at each facility.  They learn the ins and outs and navigate them well to the benefit of everyone involved.

Last but certainly not least our TA’s enhance the careers of our ultrasound technicians. Our technicians are able come in and do what they are trained to do knowing that the procedural and administrative tasks are in good hands.  They are free to focus on the scan and the patient in front of them with very little distraction. This cuts down on fatigue which leads to better quality of care.

Having a team member to help you through the day is invaluable to our sonographers and to our organization as a whole.  All this to say, we are so grateful for our TA’s!

5 Ways to Build a Better Heathcare Team

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Teams are hard. For anyone that has been in a position of leadership, you know that gathering a group of individuals and directing them towards a common goal can be complicated. Teams have the capacity to do great things beyond the scope of the individual while also being capable slowing down the simplest process.

Bottlenecks, miscommunication, and personal differences are just a few of the many problems that can happen in teams. This is only natural given that we are imperfect people. Lisa might arrive late, starting the day off behind schedule; Bob might have thought that someone else was taking care of that task; or Sally might feel as though you’re encroaching upon her responsibilities.

These issues can be heightened further in a healthcare setting leading to a stressful work environment that isn’t conducive to a healthy work life or clinical productivity. That’s why we have spent so much time studying team dynamics. By looking at both the macro and micro levels of the clinic, we can start to see where the problems arise and how they can be fixed. From this, we have come up with 5 ways to build a better team for healthcare.

1. Define The Goal

A simple yet critical component to forming a solid teaming strategy is to make sure your team is on the same page. Some teams forego defining the goal altogether simply because it seems obvious. What’s the goal of the post office? To deliver mail. What’s the goal of an urgent care clinic? To care for patients. The problem with simplistic goal definition is that it lacks the the “Why” and the “How”. Goal definition should have motivation behind it to give your staff a reason behind every action item. It should give them guidance on how to perform it. By adding layers to your goal definition, you give context to your team’s efforts.

An example of this might be a company mission statement. Mission statements should be created with careful consideration so that your staff can apply that ideology to their day-to-day work. If the statement only applies to a certain level of the supply chain or department, you risk alienating entire departments or layers of your our staff. No matter what’s being done, giving your team an authentic reason to perform their best can be one of the most powerful qualities in a teaming strategy.

2. Eliminate Obstacles

Secondly, teams need support. Nothing is more frustrating than being given a task and then slogging through obstacle after obstacle to see it through. Often, an obstacle has remained resolved because the team simply accepted it as part of the process. By accepting a problem, it becomes embedded in your daily operations, leading to decreased performance.

Bottlenecks happen and obstacles do exist, but by opening a line of communication between the team many of these can be removed. Furthermore, this develops a sense of trust within the team which boosts morale and work ethic, compounding the effects of the original system improvements.

3. Consistent Attention and Feedback

Part of eliminating obstacles is opening that line of communication between the decision makers and the team. This can come in the form of a systematic solution in which there is a defined channel to communicate feedback and needs, or it can come more organically. For companies such as us, we utilize both. Given our unique mobile business model, our face-to-face interaction with other arms of the company is limited. This means that the face-to-face interaction needs to be utilized to its fullest.

This can come in the form of company get-together’s and other events that serve to strengthen inter-team relations and start a dialogue about everyone’s well being. This falls in line with the goal of setting a standard of open communication. Our team members know that support is one phone call away if that face-to-face connection is not available.

4. Clear Division of Labor

Part of leading a team is delegating and managing that team’s operations on a micro level. Now, this doesn’t give license to “micro-managing,” which can have a negative effect on a team; this simply means that the team needs to know its responsibilities. Departments need to be established and job descriptions need to be defined. This is simple enough, but it also needs to be communicated how each individual’s role plays in the better picture, tying back to the defining the goal principle. If a team member know how his or her role contributes to the success or failure of another team member, it provides a powerful motivation to perform those duties to the fullest extent. By empowering and maximizing the individual, the macro side of management almost takes care of itself.

5. Reward Your team

Last but certainly not least is rewarding the team. As with any well-balanced work-life, there needs to be built in time for the team to unplug and recharge. This is especially true in healthcare where hours can be dense, stressful, and labor-intensive. Generous paid-time-off and a benefits packages can go a long way in keeping your team healthy and happy. In our case, ultrasound can put a lot of strain on the sonographer’s arm and if not cared for, can lead to career ending injuries. That’s why our initiative to provide monthly physical therapy to our team is so important to our business model. By keeping the team happy and healthy, you ensure the future and longevity of your company.

By taking these principles and applying them to your team, individuals begin to work less for themselves and more for the team. And that, is the powerful thing about team dynamics. So go forth and educate your team, clinic, or organization on how to optimize performance and satisfaction in whichever endeavor you find yourself in.

Give Yourself the Gift of Health

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The leadership at BBI understands how hard you work and we appreciate the demands of your job.  We would like to take this opportunity to highlight ways for you to take care of yourself.  Up to 90% of sonographers may have work-related injuries at some point in their career (YIKES!). The injuries typically involve the neck/shoulders, the hand/wrist, and the lower back.  But don’t panic, the good news is there are things you can do to help prevent or minimize the effects on your body since these injuries typically develop over time (1). You and your leadership team play an important role in your health. For your part, consider doing some combination of these stretches and strength training exercises daily.  The stretches are especially important to incorporate into your daily routine and can be completed in 10 to 15 seconds. Consistency is the key to achieve your goal of prevention.

Follow this link for a diagram of stretch and strength exercises:

https://www.soundergonomics.com/exercise-poster.html

In addition, here are links to videos which can address a majority of the pain points and can be performed before, during, and/or after work. Time intervals can begin at 15 to 30 seconds for each movement, while working up to 2 minutes for each movement.

  • Pectoral/chest stretch to counter internal shoulder rotation and poor posture

1. Stand at end of wall or in doorway facing perpendicular to wall.

2. Place inside of bent arm on surface of wall. Position bent elbow shoulder height.

3. Lean forward. Hold stretch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnyJ1YD4Phg

  • Hip flexor stretch to counter prolonged sitting and femoral flexion

1. Lunge forward with knee on floor/padded mat.

2. Position foot beyond forward knee.

3. Straighten hip of rear leg by pushing hips forward. Hold stretch.

4.  Engage abdominal and gluteus muscles

5. Repeat with opposite side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQmpO9VT2X4

The very physical demands of this career  require a partnership with your employer to ensure your health and longevity. Consider recommending the support of Technical Assistants to decrease your set up and administrative workload, ergonomic equipment to reduce physical stress during exams, and reasonable patient loads.  Also schedule appropriate breaks, take time off at regular intervals, and take advantage of massages to loosen up. After all, staying in good health allows your to have a long, happy, pain-free, scanning career!

References

  1. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. (2017). http://www.sdms.org/resources/careers/work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders. Retrieved from Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography: http://www.sdms.org

Resolve to Keep it Going

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In December we discussed some benefits of self-care both personally and professionally.  As we start the new year let’s consider making a resolution to keep our momentum going. This month we take a look at smart watches and how the technology can benefit our lives.  We did some research into which watches are best in class.

There are many benefits to smart watch technology. These devices can help you with everything from organizing your day to improving your overall health.  For organizational purposes you can have a personal assistant on your wrist to track your day at a glance. Who doesn’t need that?! For many professionals who use their hands on the job (including sonographers) the ability to send and receive information and track scheduling by voice command on their watch is groundbreaking for efficiency and effectiveness (Rahimi, 2015) .

Another area in which smart watches are helping people improve their lives is tracking health and fitness information.  They can increase awareness of energy intake and output, track hydration and sleep patterns, and make us more mindful of our self-care.  At the very least the technology makes it harder to claim ignorance of our less than healthy habits (Rahimi, 2015).

The following links may provide some valuable information when making a smart watch choice.

  • These articles compare the Apple watch models currently available:

https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/

https://www.idropnews.com/news/apple-watch-series-3-vs-apple-watch-series-1-comparison/49727/

  • This article gives you the low down on Apple’s competition:

http://www.comparing.guru/pages/nsearch?seedid=985&origin=bing

Whichever model you chose, we hope it helps you strengthen your resolve for self care in 2018.

 

References

Rahimi, M. (2015, June 22). https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-disadvantages-of-smart-watches. Retrieved from https://www.quora.com: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-disadvantages-of-smart-watches

The Forefront of Technology

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Contributed by Amanda Fraraccio

We rang in the new year continuing our focus on self-care and added a high-tech spin taking a look at smart watches.  This month we continue our technology thread and preview one of the most cutting-edge technologies in the world.  March brings with it the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference.  For those who are new to Austin or have never participated in SXSW other than by avoiding its traffic, it brings together tech-industry leaders, politicians and musicians, film screenings, tech presentations and concerts (Gajanan, 2017).

Though the conference got its start in the late 80’s it was not until 1994 that the “Interactive” portion featuring the latest in technology was introduced and it was piggybacked with the film category.  The tech portion split into its own sessions the following year.  The first several years featured cutting edge tech panels such as “The Web Is Dead?” and “So You Want to Make a CD-Rom?”  Their official email address was, 72662.465@compuserve.com (Hoffberger, 2015). Yikes! I feel old I actually understand what that means!

Flash forward about 20 years and the tech portion of SXSW celebrates the most forward-thinking developments in the connected world. This year there is a new tech award category “AI & Machine Learning.”  One of the finalists in this category is Unanimous AI and its Swarm AI® technology (MS News Now, 2018).  Swarm AI is described as “technology (that) combines real-time human input with artificial intelligence algorithms, optimizing the combined knowledge, wisdom, insights and intuition of the target population. Inspired by the biological process of Swarm Intelligence, the technology is modeled after the way birds flock, bees swarm, and fish school to amplify their intelligence and solve complex problems. While humans have not evolved this ability naturally, researchers at Unanimous AI have enabled it artificially, allowing groups of people to amplify their intelligence by forming real-time swarms online.” (MS News Now, 2018).

At SXSW, we have evolved from learning about CD-Roms to recognizing software programming that has accurately predicted the Kentucky Derby, TIME’s Person of the Year, the Academy Awards, and the President’s approval rating.  As fascinating as it is to be able to predict who will take home the next Oscar for best picture, AI technology has a much more humanitarian application as well and directly impacts those of us in the medical community.  Here are a couple examples of where AI is taking healthcare:

  • Researchers at Phillips are looking to help in the fight against cancer, beginning with breast cancer, by reducing pathologists’ routine workload, improving diagnostic accuracy and precision, and reducing error rates using computational tools and deep learning algorithms which allow computers to analyze vast amounts of data and automatically detect patterns and make predictions (Phillips, 2017).  See the full fascinating article here:

https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2017/20170329-philips-and-pathai-team-up-to-improve-breast-cancer-diagnosis.html

  • AI can also put ultrasound technology on your phone essentially making your smartphone screen a window into your body. The Butterfly Network company currently has FDA clearance for 13 clinical applications, including obstetric exams, musculoskeletal checks, and cardiac scans (Molteni, 2017). Take a look here for more:

https://www.wired.com/story/artificial-intelligence-is-putting-ultrasound-on-your-phone/ 

Take a look at the SXSW site for full schedule of programming for this year’s conference March 9th – 18th.

https://www.sxsw.com/

As we continue to follow the developments in AI, we invite you to think about innovation for the next 20 years. Will AI go the way of the CD-Rom? What SXSW featured innovation holds the key to the next 50 years? An exciting idea to ponder but I think the better question is with all this advanced technology why is there still so much traffic?!

References

Gajanan, M. (2017, March 12). http://fortune.com/2017/03/12/sxsw-austin-texas-details/. Retrieved from fortune.com: http://fortune.com/2017/03/12/sxsw-austin-texas-details/

Hoffberger, C. (2015, March 8). http://kernelmag.dailydot.com/issue-sections/features-issue-sections/12033/sxsw-tech-history-keynote/. Retrieved from kernelmag.dailydot.com: http://kernelmag.dailydot.com/issue-sections/features-issue-sections/12033/sxsw-tech-history-keynote/

Molteni, M. (2017, November 17). https://www.wired.com/story/artificial-intelligence-is-putting-ultrasound-on-your-phone/. Retrieved from wired.com: https://www.wired.com/story/artificial-intelligence-is-putting-ultrasound-on-your-phone/

MS News Now. (2018, February 12). www.msnewsnow.com/story/37482859/unanimous-ais-swarm-ai-named-a-finalist-in-prestigious-sxsw-interactive-innovation-awards. Retrieved from msnewsnow.com: www.msnewsnow.com/story/37482859/unanimous-ais-swarm-ai-named-a-finalist-in-prestigious-sxsw-interactive-innovation-awards

Phillips. (2017, March 29). https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2017/20170329-philips-and-pathai-team-up-to-improve-breast-cancer-diagnosis.html. Retrieved from phillips.com: https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/standard/news/press/2017/20170329-philips-and-pathai-team-up-to-improve-breast-cancer-diagnosis.html

Advancing Ultrasound Technology

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Contributed by Amanda Fraraccio

As we continue our focus on advancements in technology let’s take a look at our field of ultrasound and where we are heading. For many years CT and MRI were the preferred diagnostic tools in many disciplines, however, advancements in imaging quality and workflow, as well as the rising awareness of radiation exposure with other imaging modalities, have driven the interest of manufacturers and scientists toward ultrasound (De, 2012).  Sarah Fawcett, BB Imaging Regional Supervisor, has this to say about the evolution of ultrasound over the course of her 17-year career, “CT and MRI were the gold standards for diagnosing most disease and ultrasound was considered not as reliable. When I first started scanning in 2001 and would find significant disease in the lower extremity arterial system the radiologist would then recommend a lower extremity fluoroscopy arteriogram to confirm.  This procedure would give the patient a high dose of radiation.  Image quality has improved so much in ultrasound that ultrasound imaging has now become the gold standard for diagnosing peripheral vascular disease.”

There are many reasons that ultrasound has come so far.  The speed, efficacy, cost-effectiveness and noninvasive nature of ultrasound imaging are some of the key attributes that have given this technology an edge over other imaging modalities. In addition, ultrasound equipment is economical; even the most advanced ultrasound systems cost about one-fifth of the price for a low-end magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (De, 2012).

Another area of advancement in recent years is the use of ultrasound elastography.  This is a technology that has taken the centuries-old diagnostic tool of physical palpation and extended that method to organs located beyond the reach of physical touch, providing new opportunities for diagnosis and noninvasive assessment of disease.  This technology could lead to a great reduction in the need for biopsies in diagnosing many conditions. Elastography is being used to diagnose and stage liver disease, evaluate breast lesions, and examine the prostate. There are two methods, strain and shear wave ultrasound elastography. Achieving the same results with both methods can lead to higher confidence in the diagnosis. It has been reported in some practices that up to 70% of unnecessary breast biopsies have been eliminated based on the results of the two ultrasound elastography tests  (Massat, 2016).

 For more information on this transformative tool see this article

http://appliedradiology.com/articles/ultrasound-elastography-gaining-clinical-use

As with most emerging technologies, there are some stumbling blocks to address.  The newest diagnostics available such as 3D and 4D ultrasound, fusion imaging, and strain and shear wave elastography are not reimbursed in many healthcare plans.  Historically technology is several years ahead of the adaptation of health care plans (De, 2012).  Another issue being spotlighted is lack of diversity in study samples.  Many norms and guidelines in medicine are set based on studies including mostly male Caucasian participants.  For example, a very detailed study on cardiac ultrasound diagnostics from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the European Association of Cardiac Imagery based their guidelines for diagnostics on a study sample of Caucasian men, Caucasian women, and a small percentage of Black men (Lang, et al., 2015).

Children are another understudied group.  Elastography has the potential to be very useful in evaluating liver stiffness in pediatric liver disease for diagnosis. Following its progression in pediatric patients, including children with liver transplants, metabolic disorders, and cystic fibrosis could be key; however, all of the current data is based on adults (Massat, 2016). The good news is there are medical professionals who see this gap and are working to address the issue.  Currently, there are pediatricians gathering data on elastography in small studies but hopefully, as the technology becomes more widespread the studies will grow (Massat, 2016).

There are also organizations who are addressing norms in cardiovascular ultrasound. The clinical usefulness of echocardiography is based on the detection of abnormalities, which relies on the accurate definition of “normality” across different countries or races. Currently, available echocardiographic “reference values” that define “normality” are mostly based on cross-sectional observations of Caucasians from the U.S. and Europe (Imaging Technology News, 2018).  ASE who has the most recent data from 2015 is working on a study with its International Alliance Partners and the World Alliance of Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) to conduct a new Normal Values Study.  This study is bringing together the scientific cardiovascular ultrasound community from around the world to better understand if the current recommended normal values for heart dimensions and function in subjects from different races and countries are similar or different. In addition, normal values for novel echocardiography modalities such as 3-D and strain will be established. They have currently enrolled a landmark number of 1,000 subjects. People from six continents have been enrolled and final results are expected to be available in 2019 (Imaging Technology News, 2018).  Ms. Fawcett observes “.this study is very valuable.  For example, I personally find that there is left atrial enlargement on a majority of the echo studies that I perform.  I have often questioned the “normal” accepted values for the left atrium.  It could be that the previous method for coming up with the normal values used too small of a group of people that were non-diverse.” Fawcett currently scans in a facility that serves predominately Native Americans. The future of more expansive research groups could bring with it answers that lead to better diagnosis for a wider range of patients.

For more on this study visit:

https://www.itnonline.com/content/ase-participating-global-study-establish-new-standardization-cardiovascular-ultrasound

References

De, D. (2012, October 25). https://www.itnonline.com/article/emerging-trends-ultrasound-imaging. Retrieved from Itn Online: https://www.itnonline.com/article/emerging-trends-ultrasound-imaging

Imaging Technology News. (2018, February 26). https://www.itnonline.com/content/ase-participating-global-study-establish-new-standardization-cardiovascular-ultrasound. Retrieved from itnonline: https://www.itnonline.com/content/ase-participating-global-study-establish-new-standardization-cardiovascular-ultrasound

Lang, R. M., Badano, L. P., Mori-Avi, V., Afilalo, J., Armstrong, A., & Ernande, L. J.-U. (2015). Recommendations for Cardiac Chamber Quantification by Echocardiography in Adults: An Update from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Morrisville: American Society of Echocardiography.

Massat, M. B. (2016, March 2). ultrasound elastography is extending palpation to organs located beyond the reach of physical touch, providing new opportunities for diagnosis and the noninvasive assessment of disease. Retrieved from Radiology the Journal of Practical Medical Imaging and Management: ultrasound elastography is extending palpation to organs located beyond the reach of physical touch, providing new opportunities for diagnosis and the noninvasive assessment of disease.

Employee Retention

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Contributed by Amanda Fraraccio

Our focus in April will shift gears from technology to team member turnover.  Spring is the time of year when we clean house. Its out with the old and in with the new. That may be a good strategy for our personal lives, but research shows it is not beneficial for companies.  Employee turnover is costly in many ways.  This month, we will look at how and why companies should focus on keeping their team.

Employee retention is critical to the long-term success of a business.  Damage caused by a high rate of employee turnover goes well beyond the bottom line.  In addition to the financial costs, customers are less satisfied, productivity suffers, and morale among remaining team members is lower. A company invests more than base salary in their employees. There is also training time, lost knowledge, opportunity costs,and time invested in the search for a new candidate.  And what about that bottom line? It is estimated that losing an employee can cost a company anywhere from 50 to 200% of that team member’s salary.

So how can companies keep their employees? There are many ways people can be encouraged to stick around.  Step one begins before an employee is hired.  Recruitment is key. Each organization can benefit from identifying what aspects of the company culture and strategy are most important and then look for those values in their candidates. Beyond the resume, it is important to consider longevity, not only with previous employers, but also consider factors such as previous participation in team sports, volunteer work or any activities outside of work performed on a regular basis. Individuals who have these experiences show a potential for loyalty and longevity (Florentine, 2018). Once a company has decided on the best candidate, there are many things that can be done to retain them. According to authors Susan Heathfield and Cassandra Carver, they recommend the following:

  • Set clear expectations. Changing expectations keep people on edge.

  • Provide quality supervision. People leave managers and supervisors more often than they leave companies or jobs.

  • Provide employees in supervisory positions with adequate training. Supervisors often have more staff reporting to them and minimal training.

  • Solicit ideas and provide an environment in which people are comfortable providing feedback. Employees want to feel like a valued contributor.

  • Make employees feel rewarded, recognized and appreciated. Something as simple as frequently saying, “Thank You” goes a long way. Monetary rewards, bonuses, and gifts are meaningful as well.

  • Employees want to continue learning. Provide them with understandable raises tied to accomplishments and achievement as well as opportunities to develop their skills, such as industry specific reading material, in-house seminars and other continuing education opportunities.

  • Create clear communication pathways so employees always learn important information first hand. This can help employees feel valued even when news is not good.

(Carver, 2017) (Heathfield, 2017)

Another key strategy in today’s market place is for companies to go beyond traditional incentives for employee retention.  Though a good healthcare plan and a 401k match are still important, they are not the incentives that retain employees long term.  Flexible work schedules, telecommuting opportunities, and generous paid leave policies rank high among employee benefits. These policies can help people feel valued as individuals, not just employees who perform a job well (Florentine, 2018).

Recent research has shown that most people do not leave a job for more money. People are looking for an organization who will help them balance work/life demands, who inject fun into the workplace, and allow them to contribute to the organization’s success.  Instead of an employee handbook detailing every single expectation of an individual, companies who retain their employees tend to have “good judgment” policies which honor a person’s common sense and capabilities (Carver, 2017).  In fact, our own BB Imaging Employee manual states “When faced with ethical issues, employees are expected to make the right professional decision” we wouldn’t have hired you if we didn’t think you could do so.

The bottom line for employers is to pay attention to employees and make sure they are being developed, rewarded, and recognized for their contributions.  Doing these things consistently can help develop a positive reputation in the industry and make it easier to attract quality future applicants.  Once established, a culture of value and support can be perpetuated by current employees who can share the sense of belonging with potential new employees and contribute to your goal of retention (Carver, 2017).

 

References

Carver, C. (2017, October 31st). http://www.astronsolutions.net. Retrieved from Astron Solutions: http://www.astronsolutions.net/keys-to-successful-employee-recruitment-and-retention/

Florentine, S. (2018, January 19th). https://www.cio.com/article/2868419/careers. Retrieved from CIO from IDG: https://www.cio.com/article/2868419/careers-staffing/how-to-improve-employee-retention.html

Heathfield, S. (2017, July 7th). thebalance.com. Retrieved from The Balance: https://www.thebalance.com/top-ways-to-retain-your-great-employees-1919038

Caring for Healthcare Staff

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Contributed by Amanda Fraraccio

In April, we found general retention guidelines applicable to almost any corporation.  Are there specific needs for people in the field of healthcare?  What can employers do to keep healthcare workers happy and productive?

Failing to retain team members can be costly. As turnover rates rise, the quality of patient care decreases significantly (Cooley, 2016). The top reasons people leave their jobs include team members feeling overwhelmed, not properly equipped for the task (Cooley, 2016) and perceived better opportunities, both domestically and abroad (Nguyen, 2017).

Healthcare employers can begin their retention strategy by hiring the right candidate for the job. Train supervisors/managers to properly evaluate candidates based on specific job requirements.  Areas where turnover is especially high, such as the emergency department, intensive care units, and operating rooms, require specific characteristics of staff members.  Employers can make better choices when they know how to identify those traits. Additionally, it can be helpful to allow potential candidates to shadow future co-workers to ensure fit on both sides (Healthstream, 2017).

Another central step is to streamline the on-boarding process for new hires.  One study showed that more than 15% of new hires leave within the first three months. It is important to get employees connected and engaged quickly by getting them active on the job (Nguyen, 2017).

It is helpful during on-boarding to clearly lay out expectations. For example, the expectation on day 1, day 10, and day 30 should be discussed. Adding a personal touch to the process can also help a new hire feel valued.  Some managers will ask questions about likes and hobbies and prepare a personalized welcome basket for the first day on the job (Healthstream, 2017).

In situations where third parties are involved, such as BB Imaging’s team members and partners, it is important to develop good relationships with providers who see staff members daily.  Encourage providers to recognize a team member’s hard work, offer a thank you note after dealing with a particularly difficult patient, and/or recognize a staff member in front of peers at a staff meeting. These approaches can greatly increase feelings of connectedness and accomplishment (Mandavia, 2012).

Moving beyond traditional benefits is important.  Allowing any amount of flexibility can go a long way. A staff member being able to come in an hour early or push their day an hour late so they can leave for a child’s dental appointment can be helpful for staff and patients’ schedules alike (Mandavia, 2012). Other attractive benefits include employer provided wellness programs, PTO for volunteer work (Nguyen, 2017), and student loan repayment (Healthstream, 2017).  At BB Imaging, one of our most popular benefits is providing an allowance for a monthly massage.

Another valuable tool is a “stay” interview.  A stay interview gives real time information on how an employee is doing /feeling about their position (Nguyen, 2017).  Questions at 90 days can be more general. As trust builds, inquiries at 6 months are likely to be more direct such as what would make you leave this position, what can help you stay, and are we fully utilizing your talents (Healthstream, 2017).

Healthcare is a complex yet rewarding field.  There are many demands on team members. The customer is not just someone who is utilizing services, they are entrusting their lives to the judgement and expertise of these professionals.  The strategies to care for front line teams can be most beneficial when they go above and beyond traditional means.

References

Cooley, J. (2016, January 27th). https://www.ceu360.com. Retrieved from CEU360.com: https://www.ceu360.com/4-employee-retention-strategies-healthcare/

Healthstream. (2017, June 16th). https://www.healthstream.com/resources/blog. Retrieved from Healthstream.com: https://www.healthstream.com/resources/blog/blog/2017/06/16/healthcare-employee-retention-best-practices

Mandavia, A. (2012, June 16th). http://www.physicianspractice.com/staff. Retrieved from Physicianspractice.com: http://www.physicianspractice.com/staff/keys-retaining-employees-your-medical-practice

Nguyen, A. (2017, November 29th). https://www.precheck.com/blog. Retrieved from Precheck.com: https://www.precheck.com/blog/healthcare-hr-and-employee-retention-6-key-factors-consider

Professional Etiquette

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Contributed by Amanda Fraraccio

We have explored ways companies can engage with and care for their employees to maintain happiness and productivity.  This month, we shift gears and discuss ways to present professionally for obtaining and securing the job desired. Being a professional is more than degrees and certifications, it is how one conducts and carries themselves in their place of employment.

Here are some strategies that apply to most professions:

Accountability

  • Timeliness – Arriving late can give the impression of carelessness and not valuing people’s time.

  • Responsibility- Avoid hiding from mistakes. Own them and try to correct them (Rosenburg McKay, 2017).

  • Promptness – Respond to people and follow through on promises in a timely manner.

  • Organization – A professional can quickly and easily find what is needed.

  • Ethics – Professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, must adhere to a strict code of ethics. Even if your company or industry doesn’t have a written code, display ethical behavior at all times.

  • Development – Attend seminars and attain related certifications (Joseph, 2018).

Attitude

  • Negativity – Everyone has days when they don’t feel their best. Remember not to take it out on others. Complaining regularly can bring others down.

  • Gossip – It is inappropriate in the workplace, whether it’s about someone else or one’s own life. Be deliberate about confiding in coworkers. Sharing personal matters is best done in private, away from clients and patients.

  • Team spirit – A professional is willing to help colleagues. They are not afraid to share knowledge, opinions, or an extra pair of hands when solicited. One person’s success reflects well on everyone (Rosenburg McKay, 2017).

Attire

  • Whether its business, business casual, or scrubs, be mindful of appearing neat and clean.

  • If there is no dress code, choose attire that is the norm in your workplace (Rosenburg McKay, 2017).

Communication

  • Phone Etiquette – Identify yourself by your full name, company, and title when you place a call. Avoid dominating the conversation, listen carefully to the other party.

  • Written correspondence – Keep communications brief and to the point. A polite but formal tone is appropriate (Joseph, 2018).

Strategies for healthcare staff

  • Demeanor – Healthcare staff are better reviewed when friendly, open, and they acknowledge patients immediately.

  • Bedside manner – This encompasses medical knowledge, personality, and ability to understand the patient and communicate concern for them.

  • Devices – While technology can be helpful for doctors and patients, it is also a potential distraction that could damage patient interaction. Device use is for recording or seeking data. Healthcare professionals strive to keep their focus on the patient. Be conscientious of addressing the patient directly. Enter data and look back at them to help the patient feel like top priority (Britt, 2012).

Knowing how to present yourself professionally can go a long way to helping you achieve your goals. In healthcare you are making first impressions every day. Keeping these tips in mind can benefit you, your company, and the people you serve.

References 

Britt, D. (2012, April). http://source.southuniversity.edu. Retrieved from South University: http://source.southuniversity.edu/healthcare-professionalism-how-important-is-proper-bedside-manner-132067.aspx

Joseph, C. (2018, January 30th). http://smallbusiness.chron.com. Retrieved from Chron: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/10-characteristics-professionalism-708.html

Rosenburg McKay, D. (2017, July 14). https://www.thebalance.com/professionalism. Retrieved from The Balance: https://www.thebalance.com/professionalism-526248

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