SDMS Sound News

September 30, 2000
Volume 2, Issue 9

Table of Contents

1. New Look for SDMS Sound News

SDMS Sound News is one-year old! And with its birthday, we are launching a new, more flexible and colorful format for the newsletter. Rather than simple text formatting, you will now see a great deal of similarity between SDMS Sound News and the SDMS web site.

The new newsletter format does require you to have email software that supports HTML formatted messages (most current packages do). But if you haven't updated your software yet, you can still view the SDMS Sound News at:

2. SDMS' 2000 Annual Conference Sets Record

The 2000 Annual Conference in Dallas proved that everything is bigger in Texas! With over 1000 participants, this conference was the largest in the Society's history. Behind every successful meeting, there are many people to thank. The SDMS Board, Conference Management Committee, and staff wish to thank all the Annual Conference attendees, faculty, exhibitors, and those folks whose support of the SDMS was demonstrated by their continued generous sponsorship.

Preliminary review of the conference evaluations reveals that the attendees rated this conference a BIG 10. In addition to an outstanding educational program, top-rate faculty, and Texas-style social events, the SDMS launched two new educational products, Ultrasound Examination Guidelines and Contrast Media and IV Insertion Techniques. For additional product information, visit:

The SDMS now faces the challenge of making the 2001 Annual Conference in Las Vegas even better. Planning activities are already underway and we're 'betting' that the next year's conference will hit the 'jackpot'. Be among the winners and join us at the 2001 Annual Conference at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, October 11-14, 2001. Watch for the latest information at:

3. Your Invitation to Australia

Dear US and Canadian Sonographers,

I would like to invite you to Australia next year as part of the sonographer delegation. Sonographers in both of our countries have very similar interests and we would be very pleased to learn from you and to show you sonography as it is done in Australia! The Australian Sonographers Association has been liaising with the organisers of this tour and shall be organsing site visits to large teaching hospitals, private practices and teaching facilities, dependant on your specialities.

Meetings in Melbourne and Sydney will be arranged to meet our local sonographers and we invite you to participate in the meeting and discussions.

It sounds like an excellent opportunity to see some of our beautiful country and gain a wider understanding of sonography elsewhere. Hope to see you in March 2001!

For more information, visit:

4. Current Issues 2000 Conference, October 6 - 7, Arlington, VA

SDMS and the Society of Vascular Technology are co-sponsoring the 'Current Issues 2000' conference at the Crystal City Marriott, Arlington, VA, October 6-7. This conference is the single best opportunity for sonographers and vascular technologists, as well as medical directors and managers, to learn about current legislative and regulatory issues affecting your practice. The two-day conference will include many of the key players from the often confusing network of policy makers in Washington and Baltimore (HCFA) and leaders from the profession.

For more information, visit:

5. Report Your Sonographer Awareness Activities

We would like to hear how you are celebrating Sonographer Awareness Week, October 2-8! To help us plan future events, we need to know the kinds of things you are doing in your facility or community to promote sonography during Sonographer Awareness Week. We'll help share the ideas with other members so next year you can plan even bigger events.

Send a brief description (include your name & SDMS membership #) to:

For more information on Sonographer Awareness Week, visit:

      http://www.sdms.org/products/sonoweek2000.asp

6. SDMS Educational Foundation Silent Auction/Trip to Las Vegas

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Foundation's Silent Auction this year at the SDMS Annual Conference! The goal of the Auction has always been to offer items to everyone that are fun and reasonably priced. This year, we had handmade items like a crocheted doily, a wall hanging featuring a sonographic image and an authentic Navajo rug. Also offered was a "Breakfast in New York." A creative twist which allows the high bidder to enjoy a truly New York breakfast in their own home. The high bidder on this item was Debbie Santore from Dallas, a displaced New Jersey native with a roommate from New York. Debbie says this will be a great way to help the home sickness!

This year, the Foundation offered a trip to Las Vegas for the SDMS 2001 Annual Conference as a raffle prize. The prize, which included $500 airfare, four nights at the Riviera in Las Vegas and complimentary conference registration was won by Gail Burma. Guess who will be the first to register for the Las Vegas Conference!

The Foundation is very pleased to report over $3000 was raised to help fund sonographer programs in 2001. Make sure you take the opportunity to check out what the Foundation has to offer at:

All programs are designed with sonography in mind and funded through individual and corporate donations.

7. Product Spotlight: Ultrasound Contrast Media and IV Insertion Techniques CD-ROM

Change is inevitable in today's healthcare environment particularly in the dynamic and technology-driven field of sonography. As a professional, your work requires you to keep abreast of the clinical advances that are occurring at remarkable speed. One of the clinically significant advances in diagnostic sonography will be the widespread use of intravenous (IV) contrast agents.

The Ultrasound Contrast Media and IV Insertion Techniques instructional video is available in a 4 CD-ROM set. You can earn CME while learning how IV contrast agents will impact your job in the very near future.

For more information, visit:

8. SDMS Benefits: Auto Rental Discounts

When making reservations for your holiday travel, don't forget to take SDMS along for the ride. SDMS members receive rental discounts at both Alamo and Hertz. For more information on how to get your SDMS member discount, visit:

9. News & Notes

Our News & Notes column includes links to web-based news articles of interest to sonographers. To submit articles, send the URL to webmaster@sdms.org.

• Emergency Transvenous Cardiac Pacing Placement Using Ultrasound Guidance
  http://www.mosby.com/scripts/om.dll/serv e?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a108654&nav=abs
• Emergency Department Ultrasound Scanning for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Accessible, Accurate, and Advantageous
  http://www.mosby.com/scripts/om.dll/serv e?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a108616&nav=abs
• Free Medical Journals Site
  http://www.freemedicaljournals.com/
• Egregious ergonomics create Olympic-sized problems for Australian Sonographers
  http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?sec=nws&sub=rad&pag=466
• DHHS Inspector General Issues Voluntary Compliance Program Guidance for Physician Practices
  http://www.hhs.gov/oig/medadv/phycomp.htm

10. SDMS and SDMS Educational Foundation Sponsor Showcase

Each year, a number of corporate sponsors assist the SDMS and the SDMS Educational Foundation with financial support of programs that help us meet our goals. For example, CME grants to the SDMS Educational Foundation paid the registration fee for more than 100 SDMS members to attend the SDMS Annual Conference in Dallas.

This year, we began a new Sponsorship Award Level program to recognize those sponsors who provide the most financial support.

11. Important Dates