topic Ultrasound Technicians in Wellness

Ultrasound Technicians

db — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 21:23:25 GMT

I have a question that an ultrasound technician could answer. I know they are not doctors but when they are doing an ultrasound how trained are they to see an actual problem? I have had numerous ultrasounds over the years on pretty much all body parts and a majority of them seem to be able to identify problems. I know that they cannot tell you anything but I think they all know an issue when they see it. Any comments or experience? Thank you.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

libbyannE — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 21:26:59 GMT

They cannot talk about what they see, so what does it matter?

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

SaRina — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 21:38:16 GMT

They would need to be trained in identifying conditions because they need to isolate the area and take a clear "snapshot" of it for the doctor to view. Of course, some technicians are better trained than others...

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

meem120 — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 21:45:37 GMT

Absolutely they can tell when there is a problem.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 21:47:42 GMT

@db wrote:
I have a question that an ultrasound technician could answer. I know they are not doctors but when they are doing an ultrasound how trained are they to see an actual problem? I have had numerous ultrasounds over the years on pretty much all body parts and a majority of them seem to be able to identify problems. I know that they cannot tell you anything but I think they all know an issue when they see it. Any comments or experience? Thank you.

@db

How do you know they can identify problems? My guess is that they would be in BIG trouble if they took it upon themselves to talk to you about what they are seeing. A radiologist has to read them first .... and then consult with your doctor. Your doctor discusses the findings with you.

Even if a technician saw "something", I would hope they didn't say anything .... and just took great images for the doctors to review.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

software — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 22:04:24 GMT

And they do tell, if you know how to ask.

@meem120 wrote:
Absolutely they can tell when there is a problem.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

muttmom — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:50:58 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@db

How do you know they can identify problems? My guess is that they would be in BIG trouble if they took it upon themselves to talk to you about what they are seeing. A radiologist has to read them first .... and then consult with your doctor. Your doctor discusses the findings with you.

Even if a technician saw "something", I would hope they didn't say anything .... and just took great images for the doctors to review.

There are times the tech does tell you what he or she sees or does not see. My ortho sent me to have an ultrasound to see if I had a blood clot in my leg. She did not see any and she told me as well as called the ortho. I did not have to return to the ortho's office.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

GCR18 — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 23:59:14 GMT

I've had a couple ultrasounds. I have no proof, but i believe some know when things don't look right. They are not supposed to discuss it with you.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

Stormygirl — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 16:46:43 GMT

I was able to tell when I saw a "problem" but I was careful not to say what was the Doctors' job to say as I could be sued or dismissed from my job for "practicing medicine" which one cannot do legally. (not qualified) Sometimes the tech (as previously said depends upon how asked) may indicate an abnormality but to actually diagnose would be a grave wrong. Unfortunately or Fortunately is all about CYOA today. I have even had family and friends call for some unsolicited "medical advice"or searching for a free diagnosis and I decline to engage. (even if symptoms point to an illness) I may defer the patient to the doc and suggest the appropriate tests. On occasion when one is wrong if an innocent hint is made upon patient persistence the wagging fingers and fears are not unfounded. Is best to leave the Md work to the Md if one values their career has been my experience seeing what happens to those over stepping the limits in thier scope of practice.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

Moonchilde — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:13:55 GMT

They may, or may not see something they can identify - it depends upon the size, the density, and the clarity of what they're seeing.

If something is subtle, not major/obvious even to a radiologist or other factors complicate things, they might see nothing.

They may, if they're very experienced and it's common/obvious, *know* what something is, or they may see "something" but not know what it is, or think they might see something but aren't positive.

But they aren't going to give you a hint 9.99 times out of 10. It's unprofessional, and IMO unethical whether the pt's doctor or the radiologist are okay with it or not.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

hckynut — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:55:02 GMT

@db

Like you, I have had many Ultrasounds. From my perspective as the patient, I know many of them knew if I had issues. They tell me a lot without speaking a word.

hckynut(john)

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

Evie2004 — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 02:20:12 GMT

Funny story, years ago I was having an abdominal ultrasound for generalized abdominal discomfort..I thought I surely had gallbladder stones/ disease..had all the symptoms..I told her I was a nurse & asked if she saw anything abnormal..she then whispered in my ear.. "You have no gallstones" 😊 A few days later, still feeling very icky, during a CT of abdomen, I was told by the radiologist..go to the ER, NOW, it was a ruptured appendix..

darndest appendicitis I ever heard of...

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

Princesswife — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 02:33:28 GMT

A few months ago I had a sonogram to see if I had cysts, while the tech was doing her job all of the sudden she started get very religious on me. She scared me to death I thought the worst thank god I didn't have any cyst but I kept playing our convo in my head all weekend. Well it was definitely the longest weekend of my life....

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

qbetzforreal — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 02:39:04 GMT

Usually they don't say a word which for me is ok. I had one tech that made an off-hand remark during the procedure. It upset me very, very, very much and she apologized profusely.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

Imadickens — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 18:19:49 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@db wrote:
I have a question that an ultrasound technician could answer. I know they are not doctors but when they are doing an ultrasound how trained are they to see an actual problem? I have had numerous ultrasounds over the years on pretty much all body parts and a majority of them seem to be able to identify problems. I know that they cannot tell you anything but I think they all know an issue when they see it. Any comments or experience? Thank you.
@db

How do you know they can identify problems? My guess is that they would be in BIG trouble if they took it upon themselves to talk to you about what they are seeing. A radiologist has to read them first .... and then consult with your doctor. Your doctor discusses the findings with you.

Even if a technician saw "something", I would hope they didn't say anything .... and just took great images for the doctors to review.

I can usually tell when they find something serious! They spend a lot of time retaking pictures of the same area. They step out for a minute and either return with a doc or come back and take additional pictures! Of course, this isn't a sure fire answer, but so far, that's the only time I even give it a second thought! Usually, those calls come quickly, so no need to worry for long!

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

hckynut — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 18:23:47 GMT

@qbetzforreal wrote:
Usually they don't say a word which for me is ok. I had one tech that made an off-hand remark during the procedure. It upset me very, very, very much and she apologized profusely.

@qbetzforreal

I can't imagine any "off-hand" remark any technician could say that would tick me off, or using your words "upset me, very, very very much". But then again, I am one the doesn't think about crossing bridges until I have one to cross. That and, that is why I have doctors that I implicitly trust.

hckynut(john)

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

qbetzforreal — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 01:59:32 GMT

@hckynut wrote:
@qbetzforreal wrote:
Usually they don't say a word which for me is ok. I had one tech that made an off-hand remark during the procedure. It upset me very, very, very much and she apologized profusely.

@qbetzforreal

I can't imagine any "off-hand" remark any technician could say that would tick me off, or using your words "upset me, very, very very much". But then again, I am one the doesn't think about crossing bridges until I have one to cross. That and, that is why I have doctors that I implicitly trust.

hckynut(john)

She made remark regarding my condition and the reason why I was having procedure.

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

VaBelle35 — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 17:02:23 GMT

When I have my ultrasound it was done by a doctor with a technician in the room.

The doctor told me I was fine, he saw nothing to be concerned over and that my OB/GYN would send me back in 6 months because that's what OB/GYN's do. LOL He said, "I don't need to see you again, but I'll see you in 6 months anyway."

Re: Ultrasound Technicians

ALRATIBA — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 17:19:57 GMT

I've had a several over the years for the same condition.

First time - confirmation of what the doctor thought was the problem.

The next two times to check if there was any change ... and met with the doctor afterwards and he showed me on the film what he was looking for and what he found - compared with prior films.