RAIT 328 - Breast Ultrasound Lab

3 CR

Provides the opportunity for hands-on experience in breast ultrasound, including operation of ultrasound equipment, development of sonographic technique, and documentation of acceptable image quality. Requires an ARDMS-certified breast ultrasonographer to serve as a mentor; the lecture component of the course is online. This course is intended to meet the degree requirements of the Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography concentrations as well as the requirements of the Breast Ultrasound certificate of the Radiation & Imaging Sciences program and requires ARRT(R) or ARDMS credential.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Radiation & Imaging Sciences BAS program or Permission of the Program Chair.

Course Outcomes

Conduct themselves in a manner that allows for safety of the staff and patients in the ultrasound lab following laboratory and equipment safety procedures
Identify and select different types/frequencies of transducers appropriate to the patient/exam situation & provide justification to support the selection process
Utilize appropriate ultrasound system hardware and software for optimal imaging of the breast in accordance with established procedures
Evaluate breast tissue composition to obtain diagnostic ultrasound images appropriate for each breast density
Analyze the key elements of and follow accepted protocol for completing a breast ultrasound
Recognize breast ultrasound artifacts and adjust system controls and technique to compensate
Develop documentation of all images obtained following documentation standards
Interrogate breast pathology and apply knowledge of mechanisms of growth to analyze for changes during a follow-up exam
Demonstrate knowledge of caliper placement and image documentation specific to each breast pathology
Correlate ultrasound information obtained with other relevant information concerning the patient, and develop draft observation findings

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