Re: Fw: Ultrasound for Entertainment Purposes
From: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)
Thu Jul 11 21:08:40 2002
oh heck i just give em the GE rep's phone number.
art
At Wed, 10 Jul 2002, Terry J DuBose wrote:
>
>FYI... From AIUM Forums. Terry J DuBose
>
>--------- Forwarded message ----------
>From: "Alfred Kurtz" To: "Member discussion lists" <ob_gyn@listserv.aium.org>
>Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 10:27:04 -0500
>Subject: Ultrasound for Entertainment Purposes
>
>There has been a lively and impassioned discussion on the AIUM Ob/Gyn
>listserv about the apparent promotion of ultrasound for entertainment
>purposes. I am encouraged by the number of people who contributed their
>thoughts on the issue. In response to the discussion, members of the
>AIUM
>Executive Committee conferred recently, and strongly reaffirmed the
>AIUM’s
>advocacy for the appropriate use of ultrasound.
>
>As most of you know, the AIUM’s position on the misuse of ultrasound is
>expressed in its “Prudent Use” official statement, approved in May 1999,
>which states the following:
>
>"The AIUM advocates the responsible use of diagnostic ultrasound. The
>AIUM
>strongly discourages the non-medical use of ultrasound for psychosocial
>or
>entertainment purposes. The use of either two-dimensional (2D) or
>three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound to only view the fetus, obtain a
>picture
>of the fetus or determine the fetal gender without a medical indication
>is
>inappropriate and contrary to responsible medical practice. Although
>there
>are no confirmed biological effects on patients caused by exposures from
>present diagnostic ultrasound instruments, the possibility exists that
>such biological effects may be identified in the future. Thus ultrasound
>should be used in a prudent manner to provide medical benefit to the
>patient."
>
>When the AIUM receives information that a practice or company is
>promoting
>the use of ultrasound for non--diagnostic or entertainment purposes, we
>try to verify the complaint and notify the FDA. I encourage AIUM members
>to do the same. You can direct your calls and faxes to:
>
>Bill Maloney
>Diagnostic Devices Branch,
>Division of Enforcement I, Office of Compliance
>
>Phone number: 301.594.4591
>Fax: 301.594.4636
>
>Furthermore, when you feel that a particular company is promoting the
>non-medical use of ultrasound, you may want to contact that company
>directly.
>
>For those of you who face pressure from individuals requesting
>appointments to obtain keepsake images, I recommend that you share the
>AIUM’s “Prudent Use” statement with them and explain that, as responsible
>professionals, you will only perform an ultrasound examination when
>clinically indicated.
>
>Thank you all for promoting the responsible use of ultrasound.
>
>Sincerely,
>Alfred B. Kurtz, MD
>AIUM President
>
>---
>
--
art fougner, md
ich bin ein New Yorker
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