Tagged: anatomy, obstetric care, obstetric practice, obstetric ultrasound, patient experience, pregnancy
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- October 14, 2017 at 19:53 #3692Parents LifeKeymaster
An obstetric ultrasound has become evidently a standard for the obstetric care in Ukraine and worldwide. The indications, parameters and technological facets of performing the fundamental obstetric ultrasound are well in the scope of practice for the generalist obstetrician. Each obstetrician who provides interpretation of obstetric ultrasounds should develop and keep the essential understanding needed to acknowledge the anatomy evaluated within the fundamental ultrasound exam. In addition, proper accreditation is required.
Additionally, even though it is beyond the scope of this topic, a far more extensive overview of generally identified normal and abnormal anatomy might help the physicians to acknowledge that something is abnormal once they are not able to document a standard anatomic structure under the consideration. It is not within the physician’s responsibility to find out the anomaly. They rather need to notice a failure in an ordinary structure and refer to a sub-specialist educated to identify and further assess the abnormal fetus.
Finally, an oft-ignored part of the obstetric ultrasound exam may be the patient experience. For many patients the obstetric ultrasound is among the best experiences during the pregnancy, and almost all of patients are going to be reassured through the results. Therefore, making the knowledge as comfortable as possible can serve to facilitate a good patient-centric experience and boost the patient’s good attitude to the obstetric practice. While these aspects are not “medically necessary”, they lead to a positive patient experience.
In many ultrasound suites patients are advised to fill their bladders by drinking multiple glasses of water within the 1-2 hours just prior to their examination and then not to void. This frequently causes significant discomfort to the patient. However, it is unnecessary in the obstetric examinations because the amniotic fluid usually offers a sufficient acoustical window to permit acceptable imaging. Allowing the patient to void normally just before examination is patient friendly and will not tend to have any unhealthy impact on the performance of the examination.
Placement of a big TV monitor on the wall in the ultrasound suite makes it possible for the patient to see the examination easily without turning her neck sideways to see around the ultrasound monitor. This enables the examiner to keep an effective viewing position for that TV monitor. Explaining the examination as it progresses may also boost the patient’s experience. Simply mentioning the anatomic structures throughout the exam provides both reassurance and greater patient knowledge of the process. Finally, supplying the patient with a few 2D/3D photos in both print or on a CD takes only a few minutes and can serve to decrease some patients’ perceived need to visit the mall for any “keepsake video”.
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