External Facilitator (Ultra Sound Scan Training) at Medecins Du Monde

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Scope of Ultrasound Scan

• Ultrasound imaging (sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to view inside the body. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
• It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body's internal organs and to examine a baby in pregnant women and the brain and hips in infants. It's also used to help guide biopsies, diagnose heart conditions, and assess damage after a heart attack. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation.
• But in our context we are going to use the ultra-sound machine only on the pregnant woman- to confirm viability of the fetus, gestation, fetal heart rate and any anomalies aligned to the fetus and on request with the medical supervisor.

Goal, Aim & Purpose of the Ultra-Sound-SRH Activities(MdM):

• It will help to reduce the rate of referral due to conditions that requires USS.
• It will help MDM to render a quality ANC services.
• It will improve the knowledge of the health care providers thereby undergoing training on the use of USS.
• Through the use of USS, it will drastically encourage women to come for ANC there by increasing the data rate.
• There will be high rate of healthy pregnancy and less obstetric emergency like ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Uses:
Ultrasound imaging is a medical tool that can help a physician evaluate, diagnose and treat medical conditions. Common ultrasound imaging procedures include:

• Abdominal ultrasound (to visualize abdominal tissues and organs)
• Bone sonometry (to assess bone fragility)
• Breast ultrasound (to visualize breast tissue)
• Doppler fetal heart rate monitors (to listen to the fetal heart beat)
• Doppler ultrasound (to visualize blood flow through a blood vessel, organs, or other structures)
• Echocardiogram (to view the heart)
• Fetal ultrasound (to view the fetus in pregnancy)
• Ultrasound-guided biopsies (to collect a sample of tissue)
• Ophthalmic ultrasound (to visualize ocular structures

Duties & Responsibilities of the Person in Charge

• Prepare the examination room and ultrasound equipment to conduct examinations.
• Recognize and record the appropriate anatomy and pathology using sonographic equipment
• Care properly for sonography equipment and report equipment failure
• Write reports based upon the scan results and completion
• Alert appropriate to Doctor any abnormalities that need immediate attention.
• Use the ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Work independently or with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Display good work ethic and friendly and cheerful disposition.
• Maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality.
• Explain the ultrasound procedure to the patient in order to avoid confusion.
• Maintaining ultrasound equipment and sterilizing the room and the equipment.

Indication For Use:

• 1st consultation to check on foetus position: intra/extra uterine (ectopic) pregnancy.
• To Confirm intrauterine growth and activities.
• Any time if doubt on foetus heart beat through clinical exam: alive?
• Last trimester/consultation to check on foetus position: presentation (breech, transverse, etc); to check on foetus weight.
• Evaluation of foetal growth and gestational age.
• Evaluation of PROM and preterm labour.
• To evaluate suspected placenta Abruptio.
• To evaluate suspected foetal demise.
• Others include; vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or ectopic pregnancy.( Criterial for Referral to secondary facility)

Qualifications, Desired & Preferred Characteristics
The Ultrasound Facilitator will be expected to:

• Hold an associate or Bachelor's degree MBBS, and certificate available and have clinical experience during Education programme.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills.
• Assessment and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership, decision making and management skills.
• Ability to work in stressful situations.
• Problem solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills strong medical Background as well as thorough knowledge of Anatomy.
• Possess a valid practicing license and registered with the relevant board of council.

Duration for the Training

• 27 days practical on ultrasound training for 3 clinics in Maiduguri .Sequence 9 days training then Refresher training 6days bi-monthly Total of 4 batches