Statement on the Appropriate Use of Medical Ultrasound

Protecting patient safety, minimizing unnecessary risk, and improving patient outcomes are central to the mission of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). The AIUM remains committed to the safe, prudent, and effective use of medical ultrasound for appropriate clinical purposes.

Ultrasound examinations should be performed within a framework of professional medical care and in clinical settings that support high-quality patient care. They should be performed by appropriately licensed or credentialed healthcare professionals who have the education, training, demonstrated competency, and qualifications appropriate to the examination or procedure being performed. These expectations are reflected in the AIUM’s Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Ultrasound Practices.

The AIUM recognizes that ultrasound is used by a variety of healthcare professionals for comprehensive diagnostic examinations, focused or limited assessments, point-of-care applications, and image-guided procedures. Regardless of the type of examination or setting, individuals performing ultrasound should be appropriately qualified, operate within their professional scope of practice, and follow established standards for patient safety, clinical oversight, quality assurance, documentation, image retention, and communication of findings.

As stated in the AIUM’s official statement on Supervision and Interpretation of Ultrasound Examinations, ultrasound studies should be supervised and interpreted by a licensed medical provider who may practice independently and meets the applicable training guidelines for the specific area of sonography. Findings should be recorded, and results should be communicated in accordance with established documentation standards.

These principles are especially important for fetal ultrasound. The AIUM strongly discourages the nonmedical use of ultrasound during pregnancy. Fetal ultrasound should be performed only for an appropriate medical purpose, within a framework of professional medical care, and by healthcare professionals with specific education, training, demonstrated competency, and qualifications in fetal imaging. Examinations should include appropriate clinical oversight, interpretation, documentation, and reporting, with pathways for follow-up care when findings require additional evaluation. These principles are set forth in the AIUM’s official statement on the Prudent Use and Safety of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Pregnancy.

Although diagnostic ultrasound has a lengthy and well-established record of safety, ultrasound energy has the potential to produce biological effects when used improperly. Operators should follow the AIUM’s As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Principle by using the lowest output and shortest examination time necessary to obtain the required clinical information. Particular care should be taken during fetal ultrasound to avoid unnecessary exposure and the inappropriate use of Doppler or other higher-output modes.

The clinical purpose of an examination, the qualifications of the individual performing it, and the standards governing patient care should not be diminished based on where ultrasound is performed. Patients should be able to expect the same commitment to safety, quality, competency, oversight, documentation, and appropriate follow-up whenever medical ultrasound is used.