SDMS Sound News

October 31, 2001
Volume 3, Issue 10

Table of Contents

1. SDMS 18th Annual Conference Puts the 'VIVA' in Las Vegas

From October 11 to October 14, the SDMS hosted the largest Annual Conference in its history. With over 1500 attendees, over 1000 sonographers, and a sold-out Exhibit Hall, the Conference even attracted Elvis who joined in the fun at the High Rollers Ball. (Photographs are available for viewing and purchase at http://www.davidbraun.com/sdms.htm).

All aspects of the Conference including the new features, 'Scanning with the Experts' and the 'Sonography Tournament' were highly rated by the attendees. Here's a sampling of the rave reviews:

• The quality of the speakers and topics covered in the Conference was excellent. Thank you for offering such a wide variety of topics. Carol Chytka, Elk Point, SD
  


• This has turned out to be the best conference. Lots of stress, lots of patients, not enough sonographers and an injury at work has taken its toll on me. I needed some help and inspiration to continue on! Karen Szymanski, Scottsdale, AZ
  


• As always, a delightful, educational experience that provides excellent opportunities for professional growth and networking. Juli Gwin-Stewart, Anchorage, AK
  


• The Society has put together an outstanding conference for ultrasound enthusiasts of all specialties. David Bahner, MD, RDMS, Columbus, OH
  


• The staff and Conference Committee did an excellent job. The speakers and information were great! Larry Boyd, Omaha, NE

If you missed the conference, you can still browse the SDMS Virtual Exhibit Hall through December 31:

And, there are a few Conference Proceedings books (which include the course syllabus materials for many of the conference sessions) available for sale ($20 plus $6 shipping). Call SDMS at (214) 473-8057 TODAY to purchase a copy.

2. Keep Georgia On Your Mind

The SDMS 2001-2003 Conference Management Committee, Tomie Timon, Chair, Betty Glascock, Joyce Grube, Charlotte Henningsen, and Rob Daigle will meet in Dallas this weekend to review the 2001 Annual Conference attendees' evaluations and plan next year's Conference in Atlanta, October 3-6, at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel. For information on Atlanta, take a short tour at:

Keep Georgia on your mind and on your calendar. Plan now to attend another great SDMS Annual Conference in the great city of Atlanta. All current SDMS members will receive a conference brochure in the Spring (and watch SDMS Sound News and our web site for updates).

3. Need CME? It's as easy as S·D·M·S!

Many of you have recently been notified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) that your registry triennium is ending and that there will be no grace period to complete your CME requirements. Or perhaps your employer requires a certain number of CME before the end of the year. We've made meeting these requirements easy for our members!

Earn FREE CME on the SDMS Web Site (Members Only)

JDMS (up to 8 CME credits)

  http://www.sdms.org/jdms/cme.asp

Breast Sonography (1 CME credit)

  http://www.sdms.org/members/3351/default.asp

Integrated Ultrasound Reference Guide, sponsored by Toshiba (up to 11 CME credits)

  http://www.sdms.org/members/toshiba.asp

And now, we report your CME to the ARDMS...

As part of our new CME Tracker program, when you complete the SDMS online CME activities, your CME credits are automatically transmitted each week to the ARDMS (see http://www.sdms.org/membership/cmetracker.asp for more details). Since the program began on Sept 1, more than 3,500 CME records (totaling more than 14,000 CME credits) have already been reported to the ARDMS...that's saving SDMS members time and money!

Visit the Members Only area of our web site to view your SDMS CME transcript. We've even added a new column to indicate whether the CME activity has been reported to the ARDMS.

Note: SDMS Members also receive a 20% discount on CME credits at Sonocredits.com (21 CME credits available). For more information, visit:

4. JDMS Publisher Offers Free Access to 250 Journals Online

JDMS' publisher, Sage Publications, is providing free access to over 250 electronic journals including the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography during November and December. This includes full text files for the 2001 subscription year, as well as back files for 2000 and 1999 (where available).

This is a great opportunity for you to introduce your Journal to non-members and encourage them to join SDMS so they can continue to get the JDMS!

Full details about how to access SAGE's journals through Ingenta for free are available on SAGE's web site at:

5. SDMS Sound News Exclusive: 30% Discount on Sonography Awareness Month Items

Sonography Awareness Month items are still available and while supplies last, SDMS Sound News readers can take an ADDITIONAL 30% off the member price! You can still purchase balloons, buttons, posters, and T-shirts. Order now! Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to help create awareness of the role sonographers play in the medical community and to recognize their contributions to healthcare. Sonography - The Future is in Our Scans!

  Print SDMS Order Form

FAX your order form to (214) 473-8563 - be sure to write the following promotion code on your order form to receive your 30% discount:

   Promotion Code: SOUNDNEWS30

6. And the Discussions Continue...

Educators Forum: I am interested in knowing how many programs are delivering education in a distance learning format and what methods you are using.

Career/Job Issues Forum: I'm interested in knowing who out there in the world is utilizing PACS for their ultrasound departments.

Region 5 Forum: I need help finding a company to purchase auxillary monitors...

OB/Gyn Forum: I was wondering what is the earliest gestational age that everyone is obtaining an AFI?

To read (or join in) the discussions, visit:

7. ICAEL Makes Dramatic Changes to Accreditation Program

The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) recently observed its five year anniversary. At its June 27, 2001 Board of Directors meeting, the ICAEL assessed laboratory data and feedback to determine the individual components of the application that are vital as well as those that may be eliminated to make the process less cumbersome and more user-friendly. As a result, the ICAEL adopted several significant changes to improve the accreditation process. Through 2001, laboratories may either apply for accreditation using the guidelines found in the current ICAEL Electronic Application or submit based on the revisions. However, beginning in 2002 all applications must be submitted using the revised guidelines.

• Revised Representative Case Study Requirements
• Reduced CME Requirements
• Floor Plans and Logbooks No Longer Required
• Joint ICAEL/ICAVL Application

8. SDMS Sponsorship Showcase

Supporters of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and the SDMS Educational Foundation help us provide educational and other opportunities for health care providers in the sonography profession.

The Sponsorship Award Level program provides recognition to sponsors who provide financial support to the SDMS and the Educational Foundation.

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and the SDMS Educational Foundation gratefully acknowledge the sponsors who have generously supported our activities during the past year (October 2000 - September 2001).

9. News & Notes

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

Ultrasound Review
  http://www.usreview.com.au/july_01.htm

SCIRUS - Scientific Search Engine
  http://www.scirus.com/

SDMS Virtual Exhibit Hall
  http://www.sdms.org/meetings/vhall/default.asp

9. Important Dates