N E W S   R E L E A S E

SDMS RESPONDS TO MAJOR WORKFORCE ISSUE

Plano, Texas - May 15, 2003 - The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) hosted a Consensus Conference on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) in Sonography on May 13-14, 2003 in Dallas, Texas.

Joan P. Baker, MSR, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS, chaired this project to develop risk-reducing industry standards that serve to address the multifaceted problem of WRMSD in sonography. These industry standards address the role of employees, employers, educators, medical facilities, and equipment manufacturers in reducing the incidence/impact of these injuries on the workforce. These industry standards will also assist all stakeholders in making informed decisions. The final industry standards will be disseminated worldwide.

Ms. Baker noted, "that for the sonography community to benefit from these findings, accreditation and regulatory bodies will need to embrace these industry standards." Consensus Conference participants reviewed an extensive collection of literature related to WRMSD in sonography. They also heard presentations by international experts in the field including:

Grahame Brown, BSc, MRCGP, DipSportsMed, AFOM, FHGI, FFSEM
Consultant in Musculoskeletal, Sports, and Exercise Medicine
Specialist in Occupational and Psychological Medicine
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Birmingham, United Kingdom
 
Val Gregory, MIR, AMS, M Mgt
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, Australia
 
Daniel J. Habes, MSE, CPE
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Hygiene Section
Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
Susan Murphey, BS, RDMS, RDCS
Consultant for Sonographer Health
Sound Ergonomics, LLC
Kenmore, Washington

These industry standards are the result of the WRMSD Consensus Conference and are not a policy statement of any of the participating organizations/corporations.

Representatives of the following organizations/corporations participated in Consensus Conference:

• American Healthcare Radiology Administrators
• American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
• American Society of Echocardiography
• Amersham Health
• American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Australian Sonographers Association
• Biodex Medical Systems
• Biosound Esaote
• Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medical Imaging
• Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• GE Medical Systems-Ultrasound
• Heritage Medical Products
• Hitachi Medical Systems America
• Medical Positioning
• MediVision
• Philips Medical Systems-Ultrasound
• Precision Interconnect
• Siemens Medical Solutions
• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Society of Radiographers (United Kingdom)
• Society for Vascular Ultrasound
• SonoSite
• Sound Ergonomics
• Sound Technology
• W.L. Gore and Associates