SDMS Sound News

February 28, 2001
Volume 3, Issue 2b

Table of Contents

1. Are You Getting Your Money's Worth?

Have you ever wondered whether you are getting your money's worth from your SDMS membership dues? If you click on the following website address (http://www.sdms.org/membership/matrix.asp) you'll find a new, detailed breakdown of the SDMS membership benefits listed in a easy-to-understand "matrix". The "Do the Math" slogan contains a simple, but accurate message: If you are involved in the sonography profession, the products, service, support, discounts, meetings, CME, and information you receive through your SDMS membership adds up to over $1,400!

SDMS is working hard to provide you with the member benefits you need. First, the JDMS CME tests are now available online, FREE to members. More than 500 CME credits have been issued in the first 10 days of this benefit being available online. In addition, SDMS will soon be adding a series of new online CME offerings representing all speciality areas, again FREE to members. The SDMS currently tracks all your CME credits earned on the SDMS web site and provides an online CME transcript that can be printed for CME verification purposes. In the near future, this system will be expanded to include all other CME programs conducted by the SDMS (including our videos, registry review and self-study materials, and Annual Conference). For more information on SDMS membership, visit:

2. Last Chance to Get Your Membership Dues Waived!

You have only one month left to take advantage of the Member-Get-A-Member (MGAM) program which ends on March 31, 2001 (all applications must be received via FAX or post-marked March 31, 2001). The MGAM program rewards SDMS members who encourage their peers to join SDMS.

When the MGAM program ends, we'll announce the members who get their 2001 membership dues discounted (or who get their 2001 dues waived completely). We will also hold the drawing from the members who have done the best job recruiting members through the MGAM program -- you could win up to $500 and/or a free trip to Las Vegas for the SDMS Annual Conference including up to 4 nights hotel, airfare, and FREE conference registration. For full details on the MGAM program, visit:

3. VIVA LAS VEGAS!

The countdown to Annual Conference 2001 is underway, and this year's conference is the best bet you'll make all year!

Check out the lineup:

• Outstanding faculty
• Earn up to 16.75 hours of SDMS CME credit plus an additional 9 hours of CME credit by attending optional pre-conference tutorials and luncheons
• 5 Educational Tracks that include Ob/Gyn, Abdomen, Vascular, Cardiac, and Career Enhancement
• Bigger and Better Exhibit Hall filled with commercial, educational, and employment exhibits waiting to razzle and dazzle you with new technologies and opportunities.
• Dr. Bruce Bernard, a physician with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be available in the Exhibit Hall. Dr. Bernard is a National Musculoskeletal Disorder and Injury Expert, so you won't want to miss this opportunity to speak with him.
• Hands on Scanning Sessions and the "1st Annual SDMS Sonography Tournament"
• Sonographer Issues Forum - your chance to let your voice be heard
• Awards Ceremony and High Rollers Ball
• Fun, fun, and more fun……

So, mark your calendar for October 11 - 14, 2001, Las Vegas, NV, Riviera Hotel & Casino and put your money on the table for one sure bet. See ya there….HIGH ROLLER!

The conference brochure will be mailed to all members in May...but you can peek at the preliminary brochure on the SDMS web site at:

4. JDMS Editor's Report

Thank you to all of the members who have provided comments, suggestions, and ideas for the "new" JDMS. I encourage you to communicate with me through e-mail at jdmseditor@sdms.org or by phone. The May/June issue is now in production and the editorial office is starting to work on the July/August issue.

Members have asked how long the JDMS publication process takes. Typically, it takes about 2 months from submission for the manuscript to be reviewed and a decision on acceptance, revision, or rejection to be communicated to the author (a very quick turnaround when compared with many other journals). All manuscripts are reviewed by the editor and by at least two members of the editorial board. Often additional members of the editorial board will provide input if there is disagreement regarding the manuscript. For manuscripts that are accepted, it is typically 3 months between the acceptance decision to the time that the journal issue is actually in hand. It is important to make sure that all manuscript submission requirements are met at the time of submission. We must have a electronic copy (preferably Microsoft Word format) of the manuscript and one copy of glossy print black and white images (which are returned).

The May/June issue of JDMS will have two CME articles. If you haven't tried the new online CME, I would encourage you to do so. Keep writing! I am enjoying communicating with and learning from you.

  http://www.sdms.org/jdms/authors.asp

     Jean Lea Spitz, JDMS Editor

5. Take Advantage of the CME Grant Program

Need CME credits? Need a refresher or need to learn a new procedure? Take advantage of the CME Grant Program administered by the SDMS Educational Foundation and attend a class - free! You could save from $200 to $800 by taking advantage of this program. The process is easy and is an added benefit of your membership in SDMS!

For more information about the CME Grant Program, visit:

6. Three-Dimensional Ultrasound

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has accepted the American College of Radiology's recommendation to permit the use of CPT* code 76375 for the billing of three dimensional (3D) ultrasound examinations. The code descriptor states "Coronal, sagittal, multiplanar, oblique, 3-dimensional and/or holographic reconstruction of computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or other tomographic modality." The Medicare payment rate listed for Hospital Outpatient Departments is $118.04 and the Physician fee schedule for a non-facility is $152.65. The facility rate is not listed.

Ultrasound providers should verify acceptance for the use of code 76375 for 3D ultrasound with the Medicare Carrier Director for their billing region and any other private insurers providing reimbursement before utilizing this code.

Information provided by Laurinda Andrist BS, RDMS, RDCS – Government Relations Chair SDMS

7. SDMS Announces 2001 Awards and Competition

Recognizing Outstanding Achievement In Ultrasound

• Annual Conference Scientific Presentation Competition (formerly known as Scientific Abstract Competition)
• Sonographer Poster Exhibit Competition
• Student Sonographer Poster Exhibit Competition
• W. Frederick Sample Award
• Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc. Echocardiography Award
• Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. Research Award
• DuPont Ultrasound Contrast Imaging Award
• General Electric Medical Systems Excellence in Sonography Award
• Graduate Research Award
• Medison 3D Sonography Award

For more information, visit:

8. Baby Face

We frequently get questions about the appropriateness of using ultrasound to produce "baby/pictures" for non-medical use (entertainment).

More recently, an SDMS member, Birgit Armstrong, reported on an interesting experience with the husband of an OB patient.

I was watching my screen while performing an OB scan and had my back to my patient's husband. He had taken out his Palm Pilot that had a Kodak Palm Pix camera attachment and proceded to take digital pictures of the ultrasound screen. I didn't see or hear him do this. I would not have known what he was up to if my patient hadn't said, "...in case you are wondering what my husband is doing with his Palm Pilot..." Apparently, he wanted to send the photos over the Internet to friends and family. I politely informed him that it is against our laboratory's policy to photograph or video record our examinations and that I would make a video for him at the end of the exam.

The Federal Drug Adminsitration (FDA) has issued a program memo dealing with the production of ultrasound baby "keepsake" pictures and videos. Additionally, SDMS has a position statement on this issue. For more information, visit SDMS website:

Videotaping of Obstetrical Sonograms Considerations & Guidelines

  http://www.sdms.org/positions/videoOB.asp

SDMS Position Statement: Non-Diagnostic Use of Ultrasound

  http://www.sdms.org/positions/nondiagnostic.asp

FDA Letter: Ultrasound Equipment Used in Making Prenatal Videos for Entertainment

  http://www.sdms.org/positions/nondiagnostic_fda.asp

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.

• Ultrasonography for cervical length measurement
  http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=50242



• Applied Radiology Online: Ultrasound Articles
  http://www.appliedradiology.com/categories/subcategory.asp?CatID=44



• Doppler US may prevent unnecessary intervention in renal artery stenoses cases
  http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=50192



• Contaminated ultrasound gel linked to outbreak of pyodermas in neonates
  http://www.auntminnie.com/index.asp?Sec=sup&Sub=ult&Pag=dis&ItemId=2262

10. Important Dates