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Breast Ultrasound workflows
Hi there. I'm looking to gather information on how other facilities, specifically women's breast health ultrasound, run their departments in regards to breast ultrasound. We are a facility that performs about 1100 breast ultrasounds per year. Currently we do these within a 45 minute time slot and are required by the Radiologists to check every breast ultrasound with them prior to the patient leaving. I would like to know from the community if this is the norm in practicing and what length of time is seen appropriate in breast imaging centers. We really need to expand our service due to back logs and feel this could be done if not required to check every case since it can be very time consuming. We have one Radiologist reading ultrasound, mammograms, and perfroming invasive breast procedures. Thank you for your feedback.
Views: 41
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dr MM Nurus shafi on -
I have scanty experience in breast US. Though we do n't have any specific protocol regarding time requirement , I fail to understand why we shall need 45 minutes for a single case. It is a nice thing that your radiologist rechecks the report before the patient leaves the centre. Since I am a physician I do not require that. I think your Radiologist is very busy & you centre might employ two radiologists .
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Permalink Reply by Gina Stevens on -
I agree two Radiologists would increae productivity, but it seems there are a limited number of Radiologists that want to do breast US and Mam for liability reasons. The group is still activley recruiting. We currently allow 45 minutes because it is time consuming to check cases with the Radiologists since they review multiple prior mamms and then the US also. This portion can take a good 15-20 minutes depending if they are in mid dictation of other cases. Thanks for your feedback.
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Permalink Reply by Syed Amir Gilani on -
I THINK 45 MINUTES IS TOO MUCH--- i suggest a time depending protocols,each breat exam needs max of 10 minutes,do you have protocols?I mean local protocols at your center?
Gina Stevens said:I agree two Radiologists would increae productivity, but it seems there are a limited number of Radiologists that want to do breast US and Mam for liability reasons. The group is still activley recruiting. We currently allow 45 minutes because it is time consuming to check cases with the Radiologists since they review multiple prior mamms and then the US also. This portion can take a good 15-20 minutes depending if they are in mid dictation of other cases. Thanks for your feedback. -
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Permalink Reply by Laura Burke on
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Gina, I work for a rural hospital and we run things pretty much the same. We are also required to show the radiologist all breast studies prior to the patient leaving. This is to make sure that we have indeed scanned the area the radiologist wanted done and if it is suspicious the radiologist talks to the patient and sets up a biopsy unless she was referred here by a surgeon. We have mainly one radiologist reading these as well. We do have another rad that can read them but only when he has to. He is not as stringent and does not speak with the patients. I am trying to figure out a way to set up guidelines for what must be shown and what we may be able to not show right away, as it is very time consuming.
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Permalink Reply by Gina Stevens on
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Thanks so much Laura! I didn't htink we were the only ones operating like this.
Laura Burke said:Gina, I work for a rural hospital and we run things pretty much the same. We are also required to show the radiologist all breast studies prior to the patient leaving. This is to make sure that we have indeed scanned the area the radiologist wanted done and if it is suspicious the radiologist talks to the patient and sets up a biopsy unless she was referred here by a surgeon. We have mainly one radiologist reading these as well. We do have another rad that can read them but only when he has to. He is not as stringent and does not speak with the patients. I am trying to figure out a way to set up guidelines for what must be shown and what we may be able to not show right away, as it is very time consuming. -
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