What is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month?
Mint Medical is proud to celebrate Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month this October. Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, or MUAM, was founded in the 1990s to promote public awareness of ultrasound technology and its uses in healthcare. MUAM takes place each October and is jointly sponsored by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU).
During Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, it’s important to highlight the following:
- Public Awareness and Education
Professional societies, clinics, and organizations are dedicated to promoting public awareness of ultrasound and its importance across multiple healthcare professions. - Collaboration
The sponsorship of MUAM is a collaborative effort and highlights the importance of collaborative care for patients.
- Sonographer Recognition
During MUAM, it’s important to recognize the highly skilled and trained sonographers and technologists who perform these crucial diagnostic exams. - Ultrasound Versatility
A key aspect of MUAM is showcasing the versatility of ultrasound exams, which are used for a wide range of applications.
- Advancements in Technology
MUAM is also a time to emphasize the technological aspects of ultrasound and advancements in the field of medical imaging.
The Importance of Ultrasound Exams
The fact that so many societies join to co-sponsor the awareness campaign is a testament to the importance of ultrasound exams, which are used to diagnose a wide range of medical conditions. Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses soundwaves to produce images of what is going on inside the body. Ultrasound is widely used because it is safe and noninvasive, and it is the most-utilized diagnostic imaging technique after x-ray exams. It can help detect abnormalities in the organs and body tissues, can be used for fetal imaging during pregnancy, can help diagnose vascular disease, and more.
A form of ultrasound technology was first used as SONAR on ships during World War II, to navigate using soundwaves. However, ultrasound technology was not used in healthcare in the 1950s-60s, when doctors began using it for heart patients. In the 1980s, computer software was introduced, eventually leading to the sophisticated imaging output of today’s ultrasound exams.
Today, ultrasound exams are typically performed by trained technologists. Technologist certifications are offered by the ARDMS and include the following:
- Registered Vascular Technologists (RVTs)
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS)
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
- Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS)
- Midwife Sonography Certificate (MW)
The ARDMS aims to maintain the quality of ultrasound exams for patients and to help set global standards for sonography by providing technologist examinations and granting certificates.
Mint Medical Vascular Ultrasound Services
Ultrasound is a crucial tool to help diagnose vascular disease, which affects the vascular system. The vascular system is made up of the veins and arteries of the body. Types of vascular disease include atherosclerosis (arterial blockages), aneurysm, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), and varicose veins, among others.
Vascular ultrasound, like all ultrasound exams, is a safe, noninvasive way to help diagnose disease. Vascular ultrasounds use Doppler technology to produce color images and videos of veins, arteries, and blood flow. These exams can help determine if there is a narrowing of the vessels, reduction in blood flow, blood clots, and more.
Mint Medical provides vascular laboratory management and vascular ultrasound services. Our highly trained staff perform more than 25,000 diagnostic exams annually throughout Northern California. We employ Registered Vascular Technologists (RVTs) and Registered Physicians in Vascular Interpretation (RVPIs).
End-to-end services include a range of diagnostic and screening ultrasound exams, state-of-the-art equipment, lab accreditation, and administrative services. We provide consistent, high-quality results that partners can trust. For more information visit our partners page.
Guest Contributor: Jordan Galerkin
Sources:
- Celebrate Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month. American Society of Echocardiography. https://www.asecho.org/muam/
- Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. https://www.sdms.org/resources/muam
- Ultrasound Exams and Prerequisites. American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. https://www.ardms.org/get-certified/
- Understanding Sonography. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. https://www.sdms.org/resources/what-is-sonography/understanding-sonography
- Ultrasound – Vascular. Radiological Society of North America. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ultrasound/about/pac-20395177
