Position statement and best practice recommendations on the imaging use of ultrasound from the European Society of Radiology ultrasound subcommittee

Abstract

This document summarises best practice recommendations for medical imaging use of ultrasound in Europe, representing the agreed consensus of experts from the Ultrasound Subcommittee of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) Section of Radiology, and the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Recommendations are given for education and training, equipment and its maintenance, documentation, hygiene and infection prevention, and medico-legal issues.

Letter to the Editor in response to the Position statement and best practice recommendations on the imaging use of ultrasound from the European Society of Radiology ultrasound subcommittee

“…With regards to the published consensus statement by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) ultrasound subcommittee [1], we would like to commend the ESR for highlighting the need for high quality education including safe use of the equipment, clinical training, decontamination processes and report writing by the practitioner who undertakes the examination. The importance of saving images to a picture archiving system is also crucial, particularly as imaging is undertaken outside the hospital setting in some countries, to enable review, comparison and audit.…”

“…In the UK, ultrasound courses outside of medical education programmes can opt to be accredited by CASE. This model helps to ensure a minimum standard of education and curriculum content [12], as recommended by the ESR [1]. We continue to work with stakeholders to lobby for statutory regulation of sonographers.…”

“…Insights into Imaging *Correspondence: Chris.Kalinka@wales.nhs.uk 1 Society and College of Radiographers, London, UK Full list of author information is available at the end of the article medicine scans, contrast enhanced ultrasound [13] and leading multidisciplinary team meetings. Some extended roles require statutory regulation, such as the ability to act as referrers for examinations (such as CT scans) that involve the use of ionising radiation.…”

“…Author details 1 Society and College of Radiographers, London, UK. 2 Royal College of Radiologists, London, UK.…”

Reply to the Letter to the editor in response to the Position statement and best practice recommendations on the imaging use of ultrasound from the European Society of Radiology ultrasound subcommittee

“…We welcome the letter's authors' interest in our paper “Position statement and best practice recommendations on the imaging use of ultrasound from the European Society of Radiology ultrasound subcommittee”, published in Insights into Imaging in November 2020 [ 1 ].…”