Implementing volume ultrasound workflow.

Ultrasound departments are consistently challenged with increasing patient loads, backlog/access, repetitive stress injuries, operator dependent technology, and the recruitment and retention of qualified sonographers. The value of the volume ultrasound workflow will dramatically enhance the operations of any ultrasound department. Although change is always a stressful transition for everyone involved, perserverance will lead to great rewards and will benefit all personnel involved. Sonographers currently using this new workflow model state they will never turn back to the traditional 2D stillframe repetitive imaging from the ability to reconstruct volumes and visualize in the 3 orthogonal planes. Together, volume imaging workflow and structured reporting will shift work from the scan rooms and radiologist reading rooms to a central workstation. This technology is truly changing the traditional and less efficient workflow of the ultrasound department to a more consistent and easier way of working.