DVMs Share Advice to Help Avoid Buyers Remorse with Ultrasound Equipment

Written by Veterinary Ultrasound Education | Jul 30, 2020 2:48:00 PM

We asked our community members at SonoPath Education if they've ever had buyers remorse with ultrasound equipment, and what advice they could share to help others avoid the same.

Karen Ebersole, Mobile Sonographer - DVM

I think the biggest mistake made is to buy a sub-par machine and get frustrated, because the machine can't image well. It is REALLY discouraging (especially for beginner sonographers!) to be sold a lower-end machine that won't "see them through." This can lead to them throwing in the towel on ultrasound
altogether.

2. Finding a really good educational program that fits your personality, and learning style, with good follow up support
3. Having a serious commitment to dedicating time to practice

I have made all of these mistakes myself! So I speak from experience. :) I quit doing US for a portion of my early vet career...just became too frustrated. When I jumped back in, I realized the necessity of a good machine (after buying a cheaper option, and having to return it).

For me, finding SonoPath education was a game changer. It turned me into a really confident and capable sonographer. It happens to fit my personality and learning style very well. :)

Chris Belan, DVM

Price should not be the driving factor. I run a mobile service and half of my clients bought machines inappropriate for there needs and expectations. They got something inexpensive with a single frequency probe and limited storage. The machine sits in the corner and gets used for cystos only.

Price should not be the driving factor. I run a mobile service and half of my clients bought machines inappropriate for there needs and expectations. They got something inexpensive with a single frequency probe and limited storage. The machine sits in the corner and gets used for cystos only.

Also you need to take training that involves a commitment over time and ongoing critiquing of your scanning. I took staged training over a year with critiquing of my scanning weekly over the year. Having the probe in your hand every day is what makes you good. Weekend courses are intended to wet your appetite for ultrasound not make you a competent scanner.

Get a basic understanding of probes and their limitations as well as the storage and telemedicine capacity of machines is essential to meeting your expectations. Also getting a machine that has upgrade capacity as many of us start with Ab scans and graduate to echos. This progression means you will need more options on your machine like color and continuous wave dopplers and phased array probes to do quality echos. Staying with popular brands used a lot in the human field gives you lots of options for secondary sales of refurbished probes. I have used GE Mindray and Esaote machines and they all have strengths and weaknesses. What they have in common is a minimum core of features that allows you to capture and store good images. After that it becomes personal preference and what your purpose is.

Alastair Westcott, General Practice DVM

You have to be committed to using the machine for more than cysto’s. The more you use it, the fear goes away and the confidence builds. We simply could not practice well without ultrasound. Be committed and you will not be sorry.

You have to be committed to using the machine for more than cysto’s. Take a course (ideally Sonopath) before or around the same time you purchase. Utilize telemedicine and don't be afraid to charge well as immediacy trumps waiting for a radiology referral or for a travelling sonographer to fit you in. Realize that almost every ADR ultimately needs a scan or you are just guessing. We have single organ scans, recheck scans, dual and single cavity scans etc. Lots of variety and price points for your clients.

The more you use it, the fear goes away and the confidence builds. We simply could not practice well without ultrasound. Be committed and you will not be sorry.

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