Published on April 07, 2010

TRCH Earns Title of Credentialed Sonographer Workplace

Three Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH) recently earned the title of Credentialed Sonographer Workplace from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). This means all technologists (sonographers) performing ultrasound procedures at TRCH are thoroughly trained and credentialed by a nationally recognized licensing organization, and they have demonstrated broad-based knowledge, good judgment, and appropriate decision making skills to acquire images and data safely and accurately.

"I am very proud of this recognition and the dedicated sonographers we have at TRCH," said Rod Graham, Imaging Services manager. "Medical ultrasound is highly technologist-dependent, and to ensure safety for our patients, it is essential for our ultrasound technologists to complete this rigorous credentialing process."

At TRCH all sonographers must be credentialed within six months of being hired. Many private physician offices and some hospitals do not ask their sonographers to meet such rigorous standards and there is no State requirement for sonographer credentialing. But TRCH is dedicated to high quality care and has taken the step for credentialing, Graham said.

There are currently nine sonography/ultrasound technologists in the TRCH Imaging Department. They are registered and credentialed in vascular, abdomen, gynecology, obstetrics, breast, and cardiac ultrasound imaging.

"And thanks to the Asante vision for optimum patient care, we also have state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment," continued Graham, "Thus guaranteeing both patients and physicians the highest quality medical care in southern Oregon."

Asante Health System, locally owned and governed, is a not-for-profit health system based in Medford, Oregon, and is the parent company of TRCH. It is the largest non-seasonal employer in southern Oregon and TRCH is the largest employer in Grants Pass.

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography membership exceeds 20,000, and was founded in 1970 to promote, advance, and educate its members and the medical community in the science of diagnostic medical sonography.