January '13 - Welfare of People Using 4D Baby Scanning Services
Ultrasound Direct has learnt that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) now insists on the public being made aware of safety guidelines for 4D baby scanning.
Yet many 4D baby scan providers, even some who currently have CQC registration, cut costs by providing 4D souvenir scan services with no diagnostic value. Many professionals continue to be concerned about the promotion of non-diagnostic 4D scan services and are worried that the owner / managers of such practices do not have the relevant experience and qualifications to offer medical ultrasound services.
All Babybond® pregnancy scans operate within published guidelines for thermal exposure times and mechanical index values.
The protocols used by Ultrasound-Direct for its ultrasound scans has never been shown to cause harm and we use the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle when scanning. The study of ultrasound safety continues to be reviewed by various professional bodies.