Evaluation of a new, portable ultrasound system in routine clinical use

Aim: Evaluation of a new, hand-carried ultrasound system (SonoSite 180) for routine use at a university hospital. Methods: 101 routine ultrasound examinations were performed as bedside examinations on the wards or in the ultrasound centre by three experienced sonographers. The quality and results of examinations using the SonoSite 180 were evaluated in a standardized questionnaire. Results: in 89% of the ultrasound examinations, results were at least satisfactory. Even though the examiners felt some uncertainty due to the small screen, especially while performing abdominal scans, small lesions which were located far from the scanner were readily identified. Conclusion: Routine ultrasound examinations yield satisfactory results when performed with the new, hand-carried ultrasound system. The low size and weight of this ultrasound system and its good image quality makes it a very usefull tool, especially for examinations of patients at intensive care units and on hospital wards.