Real-Time Ultrasound
Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego is the only stand-alone outpatient imaging facility in San Diego County, offering real-time ultrasounds. Real-time Ultrasound provides the following benefits:
- Live interpretation of an ultrasound by a Specialist at a lower price than a typical Mobile Ultrasound: Real-time ultrasound involves live streaming of the ultrasound images to a specialist sitting at a computer reading the case. The specialist and the sonographer are communicating about the case during the live scan via bluetooth.
- Faster Report Turnaround: Typically reports are on your fax machine before the sonographer leaves the building, because the reviewing specialist can write the report while discussing the case with the sonographer.
- Client Savings: Your patients receive the same quality of care as our Mobile Ultrasound service, without the radiologist travel fee.
- More Ultrasound Availability: You now have three options for making an ultrasound appointment: Real-time Ultrasound, Mobile Ultrasound and Outpatient Ultrasound.
Real-Time Ultrasound is streaming a movie; remote ultrasound is watching a slide show.
Q: Who is qualified to perform the ultrasound?
A: We have highly trained veterinarians and registered sonographers who broadcast the ultrasound studies to awaiting specialists.
Q: Is the image quality affected during the streaming process?
A: No. While image compression does occur, image appearance is unaffected.
Q: Who reads the cases?
A: Currently, radiologists read the cases, but involvement of other specialists is likely to happen in the future, since the broadcast can reach anyone with Internet access.
Q: Will my hospital have to connect the machine to the Internet?
A: No. The reason this system is so unique is that the sonographer actually brings the Internet with them, meaning they can broadcast the study from almost anywhere.
Q: What’s the difference between having the radiologist do the study and Real-Time?
A: The main difference is cost. Because the specialist doesn’t need to travel to your facility – but instead can be a part of the study remotely – the cost of the study is less.
Q: We currently have a sonographer do our studies. Is there any difference?
A: Other remote ultrasound services obtain still images and clips and send them off for review, whereas Real-Time Ultrasound is an Internet broadcast of the study that is reviewed by a board-certified specialist at the time of the ultrasound.
