Author: aslocal

“Ultrasound has expanded medical imaging well beyond the “traditional” radiology setting – a combination of portability, low cost and ease of use makes ultrasound imaging an indispensable tool for radiologists as well as for other medical professionals who need to obtain imaging diagnosis or guide a therapeutic intervention quickly and efficiently.” (Klibanov, Alexander L. PhD; Hossack, John A. PhD).

As ultrasound usage continues to grow, utilizing reporting software for general ultrasound offers many advantages that streamline and enhance workflows for radiologists and sonographers. Here are some of the advantages of implementing a structured ultrasound reporting system with AS Software’s advanced integration capabilities.

Electronic Reporting: No More Paper Worksheets

Traditional general ultrasound workflows often require sonographers to manually record ultrasound information and measurements on paper worksheets. Then the radiologist must dictate the entire report, including the measurements. This manual data entry can be time-consuming, lack standardization, and increase the risk of errors.

With reporting software for general ultrasound, this process is replaced with electronic reporting and digital worksheets. Sonographers can automatically input their findings into the system, eliminating the need for paper worksheets altogether.

Automation: Streamlining the Workflow

By seamlessly transferring data and automating report creation, integrated ultrasound reporting software allows sonographers to create reports faster. It also allows radiologists to focus more on their clinical assessments, without disrupting their workflows or requiring them to navigate multiple systems.

For example, a well-designed ultrasound reporting system can create clinical protocols tailored to specific findings. If a sonographer identifies a particular anomaly, the system can automatically generate impressions and recommendations for follow-up procedures. This level of automation not only saves time but also ensures consistency in reporting, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

Interconnectivity: Seamless, Secure Integration with Existing Systems

Modern ultrasound reporting systems can integrate seamlessly with existing tools and technology for a closed-loop workflow.

For example, AS Software integrates with speech recognition tools, e.g. PowerScribe, Dragon, etc., allowing radiologists to dictate their findings directly into a predefined format, ultimately saving time and improving the efficiency of the reporting process.

Reports generated by the ultrasound reporting system also integrate with the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and are sent back to the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, ensuring that patient data is readily available for reference and review, and creating effective charge capture.

Web Access: Anywhere, Anytime

Unlike traditional setups that require users to be physically present at specific workstations, web-based systems like AS Software allow for greater flexibility. Sonographers and radiologists can access the system from any computer with internet connectivity.

Whether it’s inputting data, reviewing reports, or dictating findings, users can efficiently and remotely complete work to save time and increase flexibility and efficiency by leveraging reporting software for general ultrasound workflows.

In addition to saving time and effort, these general ultrasound reporting efficiencies can:

Reduce redundant tasks.
Increase revenue capture.
Improve accuracy.
Provide data-mining, analytics, and querying capabilities for research, accreditation, and compliance.

Embracing ultrasound reporting for general ultrasound workflows is more than just a technological upgrade — it’s a strategic move that can enhance patient care, reduce errors, and ensure that healthcare professionals can make informed decisions with ease.

With AS Software’s ultrasound reporting software, general ultrasound workflows are becoming more seamless, automated, and efficient than ever before. To learn more about the advantages of ultrasound reporting software, schedule a demo.

Derek DellaVecchia, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RMSR

Derek has experience in both shared services and hospital settings. He received Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) board registries in abdomen, vascular, OB/GYN, and adult echocardiography specialties and was able to work in departmental head positions in his career. He currently serves on the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Continuing Medical Education (CME) board review committee and is a Senior Account Executive at AS Software.

> Learn more about Derek

From small practices to large health systems, optimizing reimbursements through accurate clinical documentation is essential for financial health, sustainability, and growth. It also plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with regulations and providing high-quality patient care.

Learn how to optimize reimbursements from your exams and ensure the financial health and sustainability of your organization by evaluating these four key areas related to ultrasound documentation.

1. Accuracy of Documentation 

Prioritize comprehensive, clear, and precise documentation. 

Accurate and comprehensive documentation of ultrasound procedures is essential for optimizing your billing practices. By ensuring precise documentation, you minimize the risk of claim denials and audits. 

It’s crucial each ultrasound report clearly describes and outlines the type of examination, findings, measurements, interpretations, and any associated diagnoses. Inadequate or ambiguous documentation can result in coding errors, claim denials, and delays in reimbursement, impacting the overall financial health of your organization. 

Accurate documentation also lays the foundation for effective charge capture by ensuring that all the services performed during the ultrasound procedure are clearly recorded. 

2. Effective Charge Capture and Reconciliation 

Ensure all services rendered are billed appropriately with timely and accurate charge reconciliation. 

Effective charge capture involves accurately recording and reconciling all billable ultrasound services and includes not only the main ultrasound procedure, but also additional services that were completed during the examination. 

Failing to capture charges appropriately can result in lost revenue, billing errors, claim denials, and compliance issues. To ensure effective charge capture, healthcare organizations should implement processes, technologies, and quality assurance measures to minimize errors. 

Timely and accurate charge capture will maximize efficiency by ensuring that all billable services are properly recorded and billed. Additionally, streamlined workflows and reduced administrative burden will free up resources to focus on other priorities. 

3. Compliance of Coding and Billing 

Ensure compliance with coding guidelines and regulations. 

Proper coding and billing practices prevent underbilling and overbilling, which could lead to significant losses, legal issues, and penalties. Compliance with coding guidelines is also crucial for maintaining trust with patients and payers. 

Ultrasound procedures have specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that must be assigned correctly based on the documentation. Compliance with relevant coding and billing rules, such as National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits and local coverage determinations (LCDs), helps prevent claim denials and audits. 

Properly coded and billed claims also provide reliable data for financial analysis. This data is invaluable in identifying revenue trends, potential areas for improvement, and strategic decision-making opportunities to enhance your organization’s financial performance. 

4. Ongoing Staff Education and Training 

Improve departmental efficiency with ongoing training and education.

Providing ongoing training and education to staff is crucial for maintaining a well-informed and efficient department. They should be familiar with coding and billing guidelines, documentation requirements, insurance policies, and any updates or changes in regulations.  

Also ensure that staff have access to reliable support and receive thorough onboarding and training for the technology you leverage. Properly trained staff are more likely to accurately capture charges, reduce errors, and contribute to departmental efficiency within a more financially efficient department. 

By addressing these areas and implementing technology to help automate coding and correct errors, ultrasound departments can enhance their processes to optimize reimbursements, ensure financial sustainability, and improve patient care.

Maintaining sonographer wellness is critical to clinician well being. In a discussion with sonography experts Marybeth Tomory (check out her popular Instagram and Tik Tok) and Nasrin Benion (learn more about Nasrin), AS Software explores the career challenges sonographers face. We outline many effective strategies to help advocate for sonographer well-being and create healthier work environments.

Here are seven of the key insights we shared in the Sonographer Wellness Forum:

1. Recognizing Sonographer Burnout Signs:

Early identification of mental and physical burnout signs from sonographers is crucial. These can include prolonged scan times, signs of physical pain such as rubbing a shoulder, missed workdays, and general signs of discomfort and reduced well-being. Being vigilant and paying attention to these signs can help you promptly address issues and prevent them from worsening.

2. Prioritizing Self-Care:

Prioritizing self-care is vital for sonographers. A few examples you can implement to alleviate physical strain and enhance mental wellness include:

Incorporating micro-breaks during scans

Practicing ergonomic stretches
Engaging in strength training

3. Advocating for Better Work Conditions:

Sonographers should feel empowered to voice their concerns regarding staffing or equipment needs. Providing data-driven insights, like scan volume and the length of exams, is crucial when requesting resources.

Developing templates based on these scan types and staggering complex and time-consuming scans can also help sonographers manage their patient load more effectively and prevent overexertion.

4. Leadership’s Role and How to Address Concerns:

Leadership, whether clinical or administrative, plays a pivotal role in promoting sonographer wellness. A receptive approach to staff concerns and an open mindset to suggestions fosters an environment where well-being can thrive and help lead to better patient care.

Sonographers should also bring helpful, action-oriented solutions to leadership and remember to document their needs over time.

5. Building a Supportive Culture and Community

A supportive culture involves all stakeholders, regardless of their roles. Acknowledging the challenges faced by sonographers and actively working to alleviate them together with peers and leaders creates a collaborative environment that promotes well-being and quality patient care.

6. Taking Action:

Proactively preventing burnout and nurturing sonographer wellness requires utilizing ergonomic techniques, advocating for improved conditions, and engaging in discussions about scheduling and workload. These strategies collectively contribute to a healthier and more sustainable work environment.

Maintaining sonographer wellness is crucial for both practitioners and the patients they serve. Identifying burnout, practicing self-care, advocating for improvements, and fostering supportive leadership are all essential steps toward achieving and promoting well-being.

> Watch the Full Sonographer Wellness Forum

> Learn about sonographer wellness in the Wellness Hub

At AS, we have a passion for sonographer wellness. Stay tuned for more exciting news, events, and product innovations designed to support sonographers and their teammates throughout imaging workflows, and learn more by getting a demo.

Sonographer wellness is more important than ever.

Watch the Sonographers’ Wellness Forum to learn how you can help advocate for healthy work environments + prevent and alleviate physical and mental pain.

In the forum, our panelists discuss and share:

How sonographers can advocate for themselves in the workplace
The impacts of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
The challenges of maintaining ergonomics
Helpful industry resources for preventing and alleviating pain
Advice for leaders on creating supportive environments

Featuring:

Nasrin Benion
MBA, RDMS

Marybeth Tomory
BS, RDMS — AB, OBGYN, FE

Jeanne Sotille
AAS, RDMS, RVT

Watch Now

Download the Infographic

Download the Infographic

Discover the smartest cloud solution built for Women’s Health

Thanks for stopping by during The Georgia OBGyn Society annual meeting to see how our ultrasound reporting and image management platform is transforming Women’s Health with:

Workflow automation for faster, more accurate diagnostics
Reduced documentation time for enhanced clinician support
Alleviating technology burdens for seamless workflows

Event information

The Georgia OBGyn Society hosted the 72nd Annual Educational Meeting at The Westin Resort & Spa at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina August 24-26, 2023. GOGS, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Georgia Section of ACOG have partnered to bring the premier continuing medical education, networking, and business meeting for obstetricians and gynecologists.

This quick demo covers how to:

Manage and store ultrasound images for long-term or short-term periods
Instantly access ultrasound images from anywhere
Use customized labels to collaborate and mark significant images — tied to our SQL database for quality assurance, accreditation, case studies, and more
View 3D/4D volume renderings and cine loops with no lag time, and archive to your PACS or VNA
Annotate images, automatically calculate measurements, and easily update image measurements within your ultrasound reports
Compare ultrasound images to previous studies side by side and embed images in your final ultrasound reports

Watch Now

Creating ultrasound reports is more pain-free than ever before

Get more time back in your day and 💜 sonography again.

It was great to see you at the conference. We loved showing you how our ultrasound software supports a better sonographer workflow, with:

Patient history and order detail pulled directly from your EHR into the report
Pre-built templates, guided auto-fill and unlimited customization for your practice
Automated CPT coding for instant charge capture