Ultrasound documentation principles in rheumatology practice and research

In Chapter 1, we have demonstrated how to write an ultrasound request. In this chapter, we focus on various other aspects of ultrasound principles in clinical practice and research. The documentation of ultrasound in rheumatology practice includes the referral request, patient details, indications and details of the examination and findings, as well as the preliminary and final reports; before these reports are finalized, communication among the team is required and should be documented. Reports should be given within twenty-four hours or on the next business day. Quality assessments, including cleanliness and safety of the equipment and performance, should be performed periodically by sonographers in partnership with physicians, medical physicists, and biomedical engineers. As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle could prevent adverse bioeffects without lowering image quality. Dissemination of infection within the ultrasound environment should be prevented with low- and high-level disinfection, and internal transducers always require high-level disinfection. Ultrasound reporting in research should follow some recommended guidelines; in the latter half of the chapter, we focus on the EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) ultrasound checklist to be used for documentation in rheumatology research.