Poster Title
ALARA
Faculty Advisor
Erick Agrimson, Sue Hummel and Tammi Wiesner
Department
Sonography
Abstract
Rachel Howieson
Linnea Pratt
ALARA Abstract
ALARA stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”. There have been no reports to date of any harmful effects of ultrasound on humans or the developing fetus. But research has shown harmful effects on animals including mice and rats. Therefore the risk is out there, and it is important to understand the possible effects and how to reduce any possible risks by implementing the ALARA principle. In order to implement ALARA, and to keep the potential for bioeffects as low as reasonable possible, sonographers should be aware of the TI (thermal index) and MI (mechanical index) values, and try to keep the acoustic output as low as possible while still obtaining useful clinical information. The thermal index (TI) provides a rough guide for the potential for temperature rise that could occur. When scanning at higher acoustic values, time spent scanning should be limited in order to reduce any possible risk.
Start Date
19-4-2012 11:00 AM
End Date
19-4-2012 1:00 PM
ALARA
Rachel Howieson
Linnea Pratt
ALARA Abstract
ALARA stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”. There have been no reports to date of any harmful effects of ultrasound on humans or the developing fetus. But research has shown harmful effects on animals including mice and rats. Therefore the risk is out there, and it is important to understand the possible effects and how to reduce any possible risks by implementing the ALARA principle. In order to implement ALARA, and to keep the potential for bioeffects as low as reasonable possible, sonographers should be aware of the TI (thermal index) and MI (mechanical index) values, and try to keep the acoustic output as low as possible while still obtaining useful clinical information. The thermal index (TI) provides a rough guide for the potential for temperature rise that could occur. When scanning at higher acoustic values, time spent scanning should be limited in order to reduce any possible risk.