Chapter 2: Getting Started 7
Getting Started
Chapter 2: Getting Started
This chapter contains information on healthy scanning practices, basic operation, and changing
system settings.
Healthy Scanning Guidelines
These guidelines are intended to assist you in the comfort and effective use of your ultrasound
system.
Warning:
Use of an ultrasound system may be linked to musculoskeletal disorders
a,b,c
.
Use of an ultrasound system is defined as the physical interaction between the
operator, the ultrasound system, and transducer.
When using an ultrasound system, as with many similar physical activities, you
may experience occasional discomfort in your hands, fingers, arms, shoulders,
eyes, back, or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such
as constant or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness,
burning sensation, or stiffness, do not ignore these warning signs. Promptly see a
qualified health professional. Symptoms such as these can be linked with
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs can be painful and may result in
potentially disabling injuries to the nerves, muscles, tendons, or other parts of the
body. Examples of MSDs include carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
While researchers are not able to definitively answer many questions about MSDs,
there is a general agreement that certain factors are associated with their
occurrence including: preexisting medical and physical conditions, overall health,
equipment and body position while doing work, frequency of work, duration of
work, and other physical activities that may facilitate the onset of MSDs
d
. This
chapter provides guidelines that may help you work more comfortably and may
reduce your risk of MSDs
e,f
.
a. Magnavita, N., L. Bevilacqua, P. Mirk, A. Fileni, and N. Castellino. “Work-related Musculoskeletal Complaints in
Sonologists.” Occupational Environmental Medicine
. 41:11 (1999), 981-988.
b. Craig, M. “Sonography: An Occupational Hazard?” Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
3
(1985),121-125.
c. Smith, C.S., G.W. Wolf, G. Y. Xie, and M. D. Smith. “Muscoskeletal Pain in Cardiac Ultrasonographers: Results of
a Random Survey.” Journal of American Society of Echocardiography
. (May1997), 357-362.
d. Wihlidal, L.M. and S. Kumar. “An Injury Profile of Practicing Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Alberta.”
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
. 19 (1997), 205-216.
e. Habes, D.J. and S. Baron. “Health Hazard Report 99-0093-2749.” University of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey. (1999).
f. Vanderpool, H.E., E.A. Friis, B.S. Smith, and K.L. Harms. “Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other
Work-related Muscoskeletal Problems in Cardiac Sonographers.” Journal of Medicine.
35:6 (1993), 605-610.
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