Tips for Integrating Ultrasound into Your General Practice

The potential benefits for general practitioners (GPs) of offering ultrasound in their offices have been well documented^.1 It allows them to offer quicker and more proactive diagnoses while improving patient experience and opening new avenues for revenue.  

Getting started with ultrasound, however, is easier said than done. Barriers like education and proficiency gaps, cost concerns, lack of trained personnel, spatial limitations, and many more prevent GPs from fully leveraging ultrasound or even getting started with using it in the care of their patients.² The good news is that the right system can make it easier to integrate ultrasound into your practice much faster than many clinicians who have been reluctant to take the leap may realize. Let’s examine some of the factors that can help expedite the integration of ultrasound utilization into general practice, and what you should look for.  

Shop at the Intersection of Affordability and Quality 

Cost can be one of the largest barriers for GPs considering ultrasound, especially for smaller practices. There are affordable options that provide optimal image clarity, are easy to learn, and don’t sacrifice quality, but it’s also important to remember the “cost” goes beyond initial purchasing price to the total cost of ownership. Affordability and quality are directly intertwined. Machines that are built to last are not prone to breakdown and come with reliable warranties and expert service and support to help you lower the total cost of ownership while expediting and improving ROI.  

Look for a System that Offers Easy Set-Up  

GPs are often reluctant to integrate ultrasound into their practice because of the logistical challenges of device set-up and implementation. They’re concerned they won’t know how to set up their system or when they will find the time to learn it. They also struggle with how their system will fit into their existing infrastructure, where it will live, and how much space it will occupy. This is a struggle even after they make their purchase.  

There are multiple primary care ultrasound options that are equipped with user-friendly onboard learning and set-up tools that help bring new and less experienced users up to speed on the basics, as well as education resources to help them increase their proficiency so they can quickly start performing and billing for scans. 

From an actual space-utilization and square-footage perspective, GPs no longer have to worry about oversized machines permanently taking up valuable real estate in what are often already-cramped areas. There are more portable options that make transport easier, not only to move the device out of the way when it’s not in use but also to bring it to patients’ bedsides when needed.  

It’s also important to have a system that offers strong data security and automatic remote software updates to ensure the system is always running at peak performance without having to take time away from your IT team.  

Consider Your Staff’s Experience Levels in Your Integration Plan 

An ultrasound device is only as effective as the clinician who operates it. Whether you’re planning on training personnel to use your system or hiring a new team, immediate user proficiency should be considered when making any equipment purchasing decision.  

The right system will not only offer the aforementioned setup and learning benefits but will also make every stage of the exam process easier and more intuitive. Some features to look for include configurable presets and templates to save your clinicians’ time, hands-free and voice-assisted functionality, and features that can guide users toward optimal scan clarity with minimal manual effort. 

One of the most common barriers to ultrasound adoption in primary care is a lack of diagnostic confidence. The best and most reliable systems offer tools that make it considerably easier to scan confidently.  

Embrace Versatility and Scalability 

A key reason GPs are increasingly adopting ultrasound is the desire to diagnose a greater number of conditions. However, this requires a system that has the bandwidth and capabilities to scan multiple parts of the anatomy successfully when needed.  

GPs see many different types of patients whose care needs change over time. They may sustain MSK injuries, become pregnant, develop thyroid issues, or experience any number of conditions that may warrant ultrasound, and GPs have the opportunity to provide certain types of scans right in their own offices as needs emerge. The good news is there are ultrasound systems that grow with your practice’s needs by offering specialized probes and productivity packages for different care areas when you need them.  

It’s also important to have a system that offers the right level of post-purchase education to ensure continued learning opportunities for experienced users. This should be complemented by reliable human-facing support when users have questions or face operability issues.  

Take the Leap with Versana  

GE HealthCare’s Versana ultrasound family was designed with primary care clinicians in mind. An affordable suite of multi-purpose systems made and backed by the most trusted leaders and innovators in the space, Versana offers four tiers of products to accommodate different budgets, care environments, and experience levels. Image optimization features like Whizz clinical tools help you achieve optimal scan clarity and accuracy, while ease-of-use features like Scan Assistant, Scan Coach, Hands-Free Voice Comments, and AI-enabled Whizz Label help even new users perform scans confidently and efficiently.  

A wide range of probes help you scan for a variety of conditions to offer maximum diagnostic versatility without the need to upgrade your entire system. Versana’s e-Delivery functionality lets practices to receive security and software updates automatically. Systems also include SonoDefense to offer maximum data security and protection.  

Versana’s MyTrainer tool offers comprehensive onboard guidance for seamless set-up, while the GE HealthCare team of experts provides in-person training and ongoing virtual support. A comprehensive library of educational materials from the Versana Club offers continued guidance from current users for maximum proficiency. Robust warranty agreements, flexible financing options, and round-the-clock expert support give you the peace of mind of maximum reliability and ROI potential.  

Versana offers everything GPs need to comfortably integrate ultrasound into their practices. If you’ve been thinking about including ultrasound in your care offerings but are still unsure of the challenges ahead, conditions have never been more optimal with Versana Ultrasound Systems.  

JB34485XX