Veterinary Abdominal Scanning: Time Management Tips with Camilla Edwards.

Have you ever felt that rush of anxiety when you realise you've only got 15 minutes to perform an abdominal ultrasound before your next appointment? That sinking feeling when you know you're not giving the scan the attention it deserves, yet the waiting room is full and your colleagues are expecting you to stay on schedule?

As veterinary professionals, we constantly juggle time constraints with our desire to provide thorough, high-quality care. This balancing act becomes particularly challenging when it comes to abdominal scanning with ultrasound – a procedure that requires focus, precision, and adequate time to be diagnostically valuable.

In my latest YouTube video, I answer a common question from my email subscribers about how long abdominal ultrasound scans should realistically take in a busy practice. While the video offers a quick overview of my thoughts, I wanted to expand on this important topic here to give you practical strategies for managing your ultrasound time effectively - whether you're just starting your ultrasound journey or looking to refine your existing workflow.

The Reality of Abdominal Scanning Timeframes

Let's address something that's rarely discussed openly in our profession: abdominal ultrasound scans take time, and the necessary timeframe varies significantly depending on your experience level. 

For those newer to ultrasound, you should expect to spend around an hour for a complete examination. This isn't because you're "slow" or "inefficient" – it's because thorough scanning requires methodical attention to detail when you're still building your skills. Even for experienced ultrasonographers, it's worth remembering that rushing through scans to accommodate packed schedules can compromise quality, regardless of your expertise level.

As your experience grows, this timeframe naturally decreases. With regular practice and increasing familiarity with normal pathology, you can eventually perform a comprehensive abdominal scan in about 20 minutes – but only when there is no significant pathology requiring additional investigation or measurements.

The key here is understanding that this progression is natural and expected. Trying to force yourself to scan at speeds beyond your current experience level doesn't accelerate your learning; it compromises it.

Why "Squeezing In" Diagnostic Ultrasound Scans Is Counterproductive

One of the most common scheduling mistakes I see in veterinary practices is the attempt to "squeeze in" complete diagnostic ultrasound examinations between regular appointments. To be clear, I'm referring to full abdominal scans intended for diagnostic purposes—not the quick 5-10 minute practice sessions that I actively encourage whenever you have a spare moment. Those short practice opportunities on non-clinical cases are invaluable for skill development and should absolutely be seized whenever possible.

However, when it comes to actual diagnostic scanning for patients, the "squeeze it in" approach usually stems from good intentions – trying to accommodate urgent cases or avoid making clients return for another visit – but it creates several significant problems:

1. Reduced diagnostic quality: When rushed, we're more likely to miss subtle abnormalities or fail to thoroughly examine all structures.

2. Increased stress levels: Scanning under time pressure elevates your stress levels, which can actually impair your cognitive function and manual dexterity – the very skills you need for effective scanning.

3. Negative learning reinforcement: Each rushed scan reinforces poor habits and shortcuts rather than building proper technique.

4. False economy of time: What seems like a time-saver often results in repeated scans, additional tests, or missed diagnoses – all of which ultimately consume more time and resources.

In my experience, the practices that consistently produce the highest quality ultrasound examinations are those that have established realistic scheduling blocks specifically for ultrasound procedures.

Practical Strategies for Better Ultrasound Time Management

So how do you balance the realities of a busy practice with the need for proper scan time? Here are some practical approaches that have worked well for me and the practices I've advised:

1. Create Designated Ultrasound Appointments

Rather than trying to fit scans between regular appointments, designate specific ultrasound sessions in your schedule. These might be particular mornings, afternoons, or entire days depending on your practice size and caseload.

2. Schedule According to Experience Level

Be realistic about your current scanning speed and schedule accordingly. If you're still learning, don't hesitate to block out a full hour for abdominal scans. As your skills improve, you can gradually reduce this time, but never at the expense of thoroughness.

3. Communicate with Your Team

Make sure receptionists and other staff understand the importance of proper ultrasound scheduling. Explain that:

> Ultrasound is not a quick procedure like taking an x-ray

> Adequate time results in better patient care and fewer repeat visits

> Different types of scans (abdominal, cardiac, etc.) require different time allocations

4. Prepare Appropriately

Maximise your efficiency by ensuring:

> The patient is properly prepped (appropriately fasted when necessary)

> Your ultrasound machine is ready and optimised

> All necessary supplies (gel, towels, clipper) are readily available

> A dedicated assistant is available to help position and comfort the patient

5. Document Your Findings Efficiently

Develop a systematic approach to recording your findings, whether through templates, voice recording during the scan, or immediate post-scan documentation. This prevents the need to re-scan areas because you forgot to document important details.

The Long-Term Benefits of Proper Ultrasound Scheduling

While it might initially seem challenging to implement more generous time allocations for ultrasound procedures, the benefits quickly become apparent:

Improved diagnostic accuracy: With adequate time, you'll identify more subtle abnormalities and provide more comprehensive assessments.

Enhanced skills development: Proper scanning technique requires practise without pressure, allowing you to build the muscle memory and pattern recognition that eventually leads to faster scanning.

Increased confidence: When you know you have sufficient time to be thorough, your confidence in your findings naturally improves.

Greater job satisfaction: Removing the stress of rushed scanning makes ultrasound work more enjoyable and rewarding.

Better client communication: With the mental space to process your findings during the scan, you can better prepare how to communicate results to clients.

Most importantly, investing time upfront in thorough scanning ultimately saves time by reducing the need for repeat scans, additional diagnostic tests, and follow-up appointments for conditions that could have been identified during the initial examination.

Hear It Directly from Me

While I've tried to provide detailed insights in this blog post, sometimes it's easier to understand concepts when you can see and hear them explained. If you'd like to hear my direct thoughts on ultrasound time management in veterinary practice, check out my YouTube video where I answer this exact question.

The video offers a concise overview of how long abdominal ultrasound scans should take in a busy practice environment and why proper scheduling is crucial for diagnostic success. Whether you're an experienced ultrasonographer looking for validation of your approach or someone newer to scanning seeking guidance, it's a quick watch that might give you the confidence to advocate for better ultrasound scheduling in your own practice.

Watch the Video Now

Supporting Your Ultrasound Development at Every Stage

Proper time management is just one aspect of developing and maintaining strong veterinary ultrasound skills. Whether you're just beginning your scanning journey or you're an experienced practitioner looking to refine your workflow, I offer several resources to support you:

Structured ultrasound training: Visit www.fovu.co.uk/ultrasound-courses for comprehensive courses designed for veterinary professionals at all skill levels.

Ongoing support and resources: Join our FOVU Club membership for regular updates, case studies, and continuing education in veterinary ultrasonography.

Remember, becoming proficient at abdominal scanning isn't just about learning the technical aspects of ultrasound—it's also about creating the right conditions for success. And adequate time is perhaps the most fundamental condition of all.

What challenges have you faced with scheduling ultrasound appointments in your practice? Share your experiences in the comments below, or reach out with questions about implementing better time management for your veterinary ultrasound work.