Hi Erika,
I am unsure there is a "standard" as would imagine depends on the mix of cases. The SMFM publication "40 years of Leading Maternal & Fetal Care" by Dr. Anthony Sciscione refers to a 2010-11 survey and mentions an average of 11.4 scans per day (25th-75th = 9-12 scans per day). I agree with you that with a higher overall average BMI, and what seems to be an increase in cases who have an indication for a detailed anatomy survey (76811) rather than a standard survey (76805), the average number of scans performed per day should be lower, not only to obtain all the necessary images, but also to decrease the risk of sonographer wrist injury.
The SMFM Practice Management Division will present benchmarking data from the newer survey from couple of years ago at a luncheon roundtable on February 4 at the upcoming 2022 SMFM Annual Meeting in Kissimmee, Florida, so please consider attending!
Fadi
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Fadi BSAT, MD, FAIUM
Past Chair, SMFM Coding Committee
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-07-2021 12:07
From: Erika Peterson
Subject: Sonographer benchmarks
Does anyone have a standard for the number of ultrasounds an MFM sonographer should do in an 8 hour shift? I am looking for any general guidance or more specific based on type of scan (follow-up, vs detailed anatomy)? Also wondering if anyone has seen a need to decrease this number in the last 10 years as we are seeing a significant increase in the BMI of our patients.
Thanks.
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Erika Peterson MD
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