Health and Safety

Echotech staff have a duty of care for the physical safety of all patients entering the scan room.

Before commencement of an echo service, an Echotech member of staff will visit the NHS site with the following objectives:

identify a suitable room to locate the echo machine and perform the scans
discuss the room requirements and safety issues
complete a diagnostic facilities evaluation form (includes: room area > 16.5m2, variable lighting, hand washing facilities, adequate patient screening, provision of patient safety and comfort, dedicated waiting area, air conditioned, adaptable bed, adequate electrical supply sockets and LAN / internet access)
meet with the NHS site staff to discuss the operation of the scanning service
establish and agree the policy for Emergency Procedures

In terms of operational safety, Echotech staff will familiarise and comply with the local rules for all NHS sites.

Fire Policy

It is the responsibility of the treatment centre to provide Echotech staff with a copy of the local rules and during the initial site planning meeting all the fire extinguishers, break glass points and fire exits should be noted.

It is the responsibility of Echotech Staff to familiarise themselves with the local rules and the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, break glass point, fire exit and meeting point.

A copy of the local rules should be kept in the echo room at each NHS site.

Patient Emergency Procedure

Echotech staff will act in accordance with the NHS site local rules. A copy of which will be made available in the echo room.

Following an incident, the Echotech staff member will fill out an incident report form and ask a member of staff from the NHS site to sign the form as confirmation of actions taken.

A copy of the incident report form should be given to the Site Manager. The Echotech staff member will also telephone his/her supervisor to give a verbal account of the incident.

Procedure during Scanning

The safe operation, storage and use of the equipment is the responsibility of Echotech, and the guidelines of the equipment manufacturer are followed in all cases.

The safe positioning and monitoring of patients is the responsibility of Echotech.

Wherever relevant, the safety guidelines as recommended in the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) publication “Guidelines for the safe use of diagnostic ultrasound equipment” are used by Echotech.

Ultrasound Equipment

The ultrasound equipment complies with the DH echocardiography clinical procurement specification.

Equipment Specification

High quality imaging capability, featuring excellent resolution and grey scale and including the availability to do harmonic imaging
Full Doppler capability, including pulsed wave, continuous wave, colour Doppler and tissue Doppler
Colour flow imaging
Be equipped with probes capable of 2-6 MHz frequencies for adults. In addition, a Pedhoff stand-alone continuous wave probe is available
Ability to perform on screen measurements of distance, time, velocity and derived calculations such as volumes, pressure gradients, valve area and blood flow
Be available for either videotape of digital of hard copy recording of studies

At all times the operation and maintenance of the echo machine remains the responsibility of Echotech. The equipment is serviced and maintained by external providers through a comprehensive maintenance contract. Regular preventative maintenance service is carried out, which includes calibration, upgrades and safety checks.

Problems regarding the equipment, safety, malfunction or image quality are recorded by the Echotech Cardiac Physiologist and will be rectified by the manufacture as soon is practically possible.