Advocacy/Position Papers
Scope of Practice for the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional
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Ultrasound Clinical Practice Standards
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The purpose of this document is to define the Scope of Practice
for Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals and to specify their roles
as members of the health care team, acting in the best interest
of the patient. This scope of practice is a "living" document
that will evolve as the technology expands.
Definition of the Profession
The Diagnostic Ultrasound Profession is a multi-specialty field
comprised of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (with subspecialties
in abdominal, neurologic, obstetrical/gynecologic and ophthalmic
ultrasound), Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (with subspecialties
in adult and pediatric echocardiography), Vascular Technology, and
other emerging fields. These diverse specialties are distinguished
by their use of diagnostic medical ultrasound as a primary technology
in their daily work. Certification1 is considered the standard of
practice in ultrasound. Individuals who are not yet certified should
reference the Scope as a professional model and strive to become
certified.
Scope of Practice of the Profession
The Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional is an individual qualified
by professional credentialing2 and academic and clinical experience
to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and
related diagnostic procedures. The scope of practice of the Diagnostic
Ultrasound Professional includes those procedures, acts and processes
permitted by law, for which the individual has received education
and clinical experience, and in which he/she has demonstrated competency.
Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals
- Perform patient assessments
- Acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related
diagnostic technologies
- Provide a summary of findings to the physician to aid in patient
diagnosis and management
- Use independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods
to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient
care.
Copyright © 1993-2000
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Dallas, Texas USA: All
Rights Reserved Worldwide. Organizations which endorse the Scope
of Practices and Practice Standards may use them for their own internal
use, including copying or distributing the text, provided that the
text is reproduced in its entirety with no changes, and includes
proper attribution and the copyright notice displayed above.
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