Outpatient UltrasoundThe purpose of the Outpatient Ultrasound Service is to provide the highest quality ultrasound examinations to patients in a timely, convenient, and cost-effective manner.
Here are some guidelines regarding the Outpatient Service:
General- This service is for stable patients and recheck exams only.
- Examples include stable patients with conditions such as: liver or kidney enzyme elevations, recurrent urinary tract infections, pregnancy diagnosis/evaluation, re-evaluation of stable cardiac or abdominal disease, etc.
- This service is not intended for animals that are unstable, are likely to need sedation due to the pet's disposition, are likely to need care from the internal medicine, surgery, or emergency services, or if the need for biopsy/fine needle aspiration are considered likely.
- In these latter situations, the patient should be scheduled through the appropriate service instead.
- Please make it clear to the owner and to us to which service the pet is to be referred (Outpatient Ultrasound only vs. Internal Medicine with an exam and workup). Failure by the referring veterinarian to clearly indicate which service the referring veterinarian desires for the pet is the most common cause for client complaints. If in doubt, please send the pet through Internal Medicine or Emergency.
- If, in the radiologist's opinion, the patient arrives in an unstable condition or requiring diagnostics before the imaging procedure can be performed, the patient will be evaluated by the Emergency Service prior to the exam. Additional fees will be incurred.
Scheduling- Before having the client call to schedule an exam, please call TVEC or fax a transfer form directly to TVEC. (Fax: 919-403-3339) Then, the client can schedule the exam directly with us.
- Fax or e-mail the Outpatient Imaging Request Form and any other history, bloodwork, etc. as soon as possible, or send with the owner. If pertinent radiographs are available, please send those also. E-mailed images are generally not of acceptable quality.
- Patient should be fasted for at least 12 hours prior to the exam. Water is okay. If the patient's condition contraindicates fasting (such as insulinoma, diabetes mellitus, small breed puppies, etc.), please make the owner aware that they should ignore this instruction.
- Every effort will be made to complete the exam at the scheduled time, but due to the possibility of emergency cases or other delays, the exam may not occur until later in the day after the scheduled time.
- Most cases take approximately 1 hour. Clients may wait or drop the patient off for the day.
Other information- Please make the owner aware that the pet will be shaved. We will try to minimize the area, but it may be a large area, depending on the condition and the conformation of the pet.
- Clients are not allowed to be present during the exam.
- The radiologist will not communicate with the pet owner.
- The radiologist will attempt to contact the referring veterinarian by phone following exam.
- If the referring veterinarian requests, we can consult with the owner regarding the ultrasound findings. (Examples include a need for biopsy, a need for surgery or a need for an Internal Medicine consultation). It is generally better to have the referring veterinarian communicate this directly to the owner, as owners often are nervous about their pets and may respond emotionally when we communicate in place of the referring veterinarian. The trust and bond you have built with your clients and patients serves to lower the emotional energy and helps owners to understand why you are recommending a consultation with TVEC.
- A written diagnostic imaging report will be sent to the referring veterinarian no later than one business day following the examination (in most cases this report is sent within minutes of completion of the exam).
- Charges will be billed directly to client unless otherwise arranged.
Please contact us if you have any questions or if you wish to schedule an ultrasound exam.