SEATTLE, WA - September 29, 2004 - Sonosite, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO), the worldwide leader in hand-carried ultrasound technology, joined today with leading medical societies in speaking out against the non-medical practice of "keepsake ultrasounds."
"The AIUM and other medical societies have been very concerned that so called "entertainment or keepsake sonograms" performed outside a diagnostic facility with no medical supervision represent an inappropriate use of ultrasound technology and are contrary to responsible medical practice," said Lewis H. Nelson, III, MD, RDMS, president of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). "We commend Sonosite for its support in discouraging the improper use of ultrasound technology."
The AIUM is a leading accrediting body for medical ultrasound facilities and laboratories. The multidisciplinary organization represents over 9,000 medical professionals utilizing diagnostic ultrasound including radiologists, cardiologists, interventionalists, surgeons, vascular specialists, OB/Gyns, sonographers and scientists. Other medical societies expressing concern about the commercial, non-medical use of ultrasound are the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).
The concern is caused by a growing number of businesses that have opened for the sole purpose of providing expectant parents with video and still images of the fetus. These businesses do not provide a diagnostic work up nor are the ultrasound scans prescribed or read by a licensed physician. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposes the use of ultrasound for "non-medical applications" and has issued warning letters to several "keepsake ultrasound" companies. While there are no known documented side effects from diagnostic ultrasound to either the fetus or mother, current guidelines call for the prudent use of this technology and to provide as low as possible exposure to ultrasound energy.
"We support the major medical societies on this issue," said Kevin M. Goodwin, Sonosite President and CEO. "We oppose the use of ultrasound for entertainment purposes and do not permit our products to be marketed or sold for such applications."
"The AIUM and other medical societies have been very concerned that so called "entertainment or keepsake sonograms" performed outside a diagnostic facility with no medical supervision represent an inappropriate use of ultrasound technology and are contrary to responsible medical practice," said Lewis H. Nelson, III, MD, RDMS, president of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). "We commend Sonosite for its support in discouraging the improper use of ultrasound technology."
The AIUM is a leading accrediting body for medical ultrasound facilities and laboratories. The multidisciplinary organization represents over 9,000 medical professionals utilizing diagnostic ultrasound including radiologists, cardiologists, interventionalists, surgeons, vascular specialists, OB/Gyns, sonographers and scientists. Other medical societies expressing concern about the commercial, non-medical use of ultrasound are the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).
The concern is caused by a growing number of businesses that have opened for the sole purpose of providing expectant parents with video and still images of the fetus. These businesses do not provide a diagnostic work up nor are the ultrasound scans prescribed or read by a licensed physician. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposes the use of ultrasound for "non-medical applications" and has issued warning letters to several "keepsake ultrasound" companies. While there are no known documented side effects from diagnostic ultrasound to either the fetus or mother, current guidelines call for the prudent use of this technology and to provide as low as possible exposure to ultrasound energy.
"We support the major medical societies on this issue," said Kevin M. Goodwin, Sonosite President and CEO. "We oppose the use of ultrasound for entertainment purposes and do not permit our products to be marketed or sold for such applications."
About Sonosite
Sonosite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, with an installed base of more than 20,000 systems. The Company, headquartered near Seattle, Washington is represented by eight subsidiaries and a global distribution netwok in over 75 countries. Sonosite's small, lightweight systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high performance ultrasound to the point of patient care. The Company employs approximately 450 people worldwide.