Echo quality compromised by not having enough time

[cardio]

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I have been working in a canadian cardiac clinic as an echocardiographer. But my boss, a cardiologist who owns the clinic, recently pushed me to work harder. For example, there are 15 regular echo patients per day for an echo machine from 8:15 to 5:00pm, leading to about 30-35 minutes per case. In fact, the period of 30-35 minutes still includes time for ECG and patient questionnaire. So truely it takes about 30 minutes for a patient instead of 45 minutes based on the guideline from CSE. Another thing is each stress echo in my clinic just takes about 20 minutes. For instance, the day before yesterday, my boss takes about 120 minutes for 7 cases. Strictly according to the guideline, the time for each stress echo should be 45 minutes. Obviously, the shorter time for each case not only decreases the quality of images from patients, but also brings more damage to the sonographers becasue of the intense work. I don't know how to deal with this problem. Could you give me some suggestions?

In addition, I doubt whether the guideline should be applied strictly in each practicing unit in a obligatory way or just for reference, which means that the cardiologist can do what he wants to do and ignore the guideline because there is no restriction to them in a legal way. Maybe more surveillance measures should be adopted to prevent the things happening in my clinic from occurring in other clinics.

I would appreciate it very much if you could give my a reply at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
A Canadian Echocardiographer

[cardio]

Hi, I just read your E mail on the CSE web page. Your Cardiologist sounds more interested in making money than he (she) does about quality. I am not sure if you are aware, but both CSE and Mayo clinic standards call for 7-8 echos per day as a maximum. In addition to repeditive strain injury to yourself this volume does not benefit your patients. I also worked in a clinic where they tried to increase our volume. All techs stood their ground at 7 bookings/day but we would accept the odd extra. I suggest you ask your doctor to accept these standards. If not, maybe you need to look for a new job. In the hospital I work in I am paid 32$/hr plus benefits (12%0 plus a retirement plan that matches each dollar with 1.25. If you quit they need to find another person to work there. Who would agree to this? Good Luck p.s. I am also a teacher (CVT) and have worked for years with professional associations. Let me know the outcome.

Jeanette p.s. where do you live?