1. SDMS Board Approves Revised Code of Ethics
2. Revised SDMS Position Statement on Non-diagnostic Use of Ultrasound
3. SonoSite, Inc. Opposes Non-diagnostic Use of Ultrasound
4. Got Jazzed? SDMS Annual Conference T-shirts Still Available
5. SDMS Annual Conference Photos Online
6. Annual Conference Syllabi Available Online
7. Jazz Jargon Contest Answers
8. SDMS Response to ARDMS Regarding Prerequisite #2
9. Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Health Care Bill Relating to Prenatal Ultrasound
10. New Online Access to JDMS through HighWire
11. New Login Procedure for SDMS Member Discounts on Sonocredits.com
12. News & Notes
13. Important Dates

Code of Ethics for the Profession of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Approved by SDMS Board of Directors, September 29, 2004

PREAMBLE
The goal of this code of ethics is to promote excellence in patient care by fostering responsibility and accountability among diagnostic medical sonographers. In so doing, the integrity of the profession of diagnostic medical sonography will be maintained.

OBJECTIVES
To create and encourage an environment where professional and ethical issues are discussed and addressed. To help the individual practitioner identify ethical issues. To provide guidelines for individual practitioners regarding ethical behavior.

PRINCIPLES
Principle I:
In order to promote patient well-being, the diagnostic medical sonographer shall:
A. Provide information to the patient about the purpose, risks, and benefits of the ultrasound procedure and respond to the patient’s questions and concerns.
B. Respect the patient’s autonomy and the right to refuse the procedure.
C. Recognize the patient’s individuality and provide care in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory manner.
D. Promote the privacy, dignity and comfort of the patient (relatives and significant others) by thoroughly explaining procedure protocols and implementing proper draping techniques.
E. Protect confidentiality of acquired patient information.
F. Strive to ensure patient safety.

Principle II:
To promote the highest level of competent practice, diagnostic medical sonographers shall:
A. Obtain appropriate ultrasound education and clinical skills to ensure competence.
B. Achieve and maintain specialty specific ultrasound credentials. Ultrasound credentials must be awarded by a national sonography credentialing body recognized by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Board of Directors.
C. Uphold professional standards by adhering to defined technical protocols and diagnostic criteria established by peer review.
D. Acknowledge personal and legal limits, practice within the defined scope of practice, and assume responsibility for his/her actions.
E. Maintain continued competence through continuing education and/or recertification.
F. Perform only medically indicated studies, ordered by a physician or their designated health care provider.
G. Protect patients and/or study subjects by adhering to oversight and approval of investigational procedures, including documented informed consent.
H. Refrain from the use of any substances that may alter judgment or skill and thereby compromise patient care.
I. Be accountable and participate in regular assessment and review of equipment, procedures, protocols, and results.

Principle III:
To promote professional integrity and public trust, the diagnostic medical sonographer shall:
A. Be truthful and promote appropriate and timely communications with patients, colleagues, and the public.
B. Respect the rights of patients, colleagues, the public and yourself.
C. Avoid conflicts of interest and situations that exploit others or misrepresent information.
D. Accurately represent his/her level of competence, education and certification.
E. Promote equitable care.
F. Collaborate with professional colleagues to create an environment that promotes communication and respect.
G. Recognize that well-intentioned healthcare providers can find themselves in ethical dilemmas; communicate and collaborate with others in resolving ethical practice. Report deviations from the SDMS Code of Ethics for the Profession of Diagnostic Medical Sonography to supervisors, so that they may be addressed according to local policy and procedures.
H. Engage in ethical billing practices.
I. Engage only in legal arrangements in the medical industry.

Non-Diagnostic Use of Ultrasound
Approved by SDMS Board of Directors, October 13, 2004
Diagnostic medical sonography is a medical procedure that is requested by a physician (or their designated healthcare provider), performed by a sonographer, and interpreted by a physician. It is a diagnostic procedure often used to examine a developing fetus for abnormalities. A number of private businesses have opened for the sole purpose of providing expectant parents with images of the developing fetus on videocassette or other method of record. Because the service is provided for entertainment purposes only, it is considered non-diagnostic. The use of two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) or four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound to only view the fetus, obtain a picture of the fetus or determine the fetal gender without a medical indication is inappropriate and, in the view of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), contrary to responsible medical practice. Although there are no confirmed biological effects on patients caused by exposures from present diagnostic ultrasound instruments, the possibility exists that such biological effects may be identified in the future.¹

SDMS recognizes the responsibility it has to its members, the health care community and patients. Diagnostic medical sonographers are committed to act in the best interest of their patients, to maintain ethical standards to preserve and promote professionalism and to the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic procedure. Therefore, the SDMS opposes the use of ultrasound solely for entertainment purposes.

¹Adapted from Prudent Use, An Official Statement of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, May 2, 1999.

All SDMS policy statements are available online at: http://www.sdms.org/positions/

Sonosite's official policy states:
“SonoSite, Inc. supports the position of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Radiology, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography that the use of ultrasound for so-called keepsake videos is "an unapproved use of a medical device". SonoSite discourages the use of ultrasound solely for entertainment purposes and does not market its products for such applications.”

“We support the major medical societies on this issue.” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. “We oppose the use of ultrasound for entertainment purposes and do not permit our products to be marketed or sold for such applications.”

For a taste of the Mardi Gras Madness Gala, go to:
http://www.sdms.org/meetings/ac2004/madness/default.asp

1. I fluffed the middle eight because my chops are beat. (worth 3 points)
   I made many mistakes on the third section of the song because I was experiencing facial muscle fatigue.
2. The sackbutt player has balloon lungs! (worth 2 points)
   The trombone player has excellent breath control
3. Clambake at your pad? I’ll get my axe! (worth 3 points)
   Informal jazz improv session at your apartment? I’ll get my instrument!

fluff

n. A wrong note. v. To make a musical mistake

middle eight

n. Third section (aka B section) of a thirty-two bar tune with the structure A A B A where each letter equals an eight measure phrase. Ex: Take a solo on the “middle eight”.

chops

n. Originally, used by hornplayers to describe the state of their false teeth or lips. Generally speaking, it refers to the musician’s technical skill. Ex: My chops are beat from all those high C’s tonight.

sackbutt

n. Trombone.

balloon lungs

n. A brass player with good breath control. Ex: That cat has “balloon lungs,” he held that note for one complete minute!

clambake

n. A jazz “jam” session. Ex: Man, them cats had a real clambake after the gig last night.

pad

n. Usually just a sparsely furnished apartment. Ex: Some of the cats will be jamming at my pad tonight.

axe

n. ANY musical instrument. Ex: What do you think of my new axe?

In summary, the SDMS essentially concurs with the staff recommendation of the proposed revision to Prerequisite 2, however, we urge the ARDMS to clarify the definition of programmatic accreditation by including integration of clinical and didactic education, acceptance by the ultrasound professional organizations, and a peer review process to insure accountability. Additionally, the SDMS supports an independent JRCDMS and urges the ARDMS to accommodate students in the process of obtaining sonography education from JRC-DMS programs during the anticipated transition period.

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