5 Tips for Selecting a Portable Ultrasound Unit for Veterinary Practices
Purchasing a portable ultrasound unit for your veterinary practice may be a hefty investment, but it is also a very valuable asset. That is, of course, as long as you find the right one to meet your needs.
There are many different portable ultrasound units on the market which makes it important to do your research before making that purchase. You need something that is going to coincide with your clinical needs in order for you to reap the most benefit.
To help kick off your search, we’ve put together 5 tips to consider when selecting an ultrasound unit for your veterinary practice.
1. Presets for a Veterinary Practice
Lots of medical offices use ultrasounds for their specialties. So, bringing just any portable unit into a veterinary office may cause everything to come to a screeching halt -- unless the unit has veterinary presets.
These presets make it easy to keep the flow of business going because only minor adjustments are needed between scanning two different organs. In other words, it will be much easier to move between organs while confirming that you have the right contract, frequency, depth, etc. for proper imaging.
Custom presets can be created to help optimize your ultrasound machine to make your exams quicker as well.
You can use any portable ultrasound unit, but if you want one that is going to make your job easier and keep patients moving, then having veterinary presents can make a huge difference.
2. Easy and Reliable
Often, when you need the results of an ultrasound, you need them quickly - especially if you are trying to keep an animal still. This means you need to be able to turn it on, navigate through any interfaces, and begin using the machine without too much effort. You don’t need to find yourself staring at the screen, trying to guess what to do next. This delays the results -- and, ultimately, the treatment. Time is precious when it comes to veterinary care and your ultrasound machine should not cause you to lose too much of it.
Look for a machine that has a quick startup that is simple to navigate and user-friendly when it comes to image storage, formats, and the like.
3. Probe Frequency Matters
As a veterinarian, do you typically work with small animals such as cats and dogs? Or larger animals like horses and cows? The frequency of the probe (the tool that is applied to the area being examined) depends on the size of the patient.
Most veterinarians go for an ultrasound machine that has a probe with a frequency anywhere between 3MHz and 9 MHz. This is what is needed for small animals. Larger dogs may require something more - like those used on farm animals or humans.
Take into consideration your general population to make it easier to narrow down the type of probe you will require your ultrasound machine to have.
4. Alternating Functionality
Portable ultrasound machines can offer both basic and advanced imaging functions. There are black and white machines as well as color and some that offer clearer pictures than others. Also, many have additional features that may or may not be useful to you.
Every veterinary practice is different. You should consider whether you would be using the machine for basic, daily diagnostic imaging -- or if you are looking for something more advanced and in-depth.
There are many different levels and additional features available. Consider what your practice would use it for before making your purchase.
5. The Cost Factor
Cost is always going to be a factor - especially when it comes to investing in a piece of medical equipment.
Veterinarians have a wide range of budgets, depending on their operating costs, services, carrying capacity, and more. So having a choice in an ultrasound purchase at any budget can be very beneficial.
There are a couple of things to note when it comes to units of varying prices. First, lower-priced machines may not always give you the high-quality imaging you are looking for. Then again, they may surprise you with their capabilities. It is important to do your due diligence to ensure that the unit you purchase does not lack in quality.
Second, when purchasing your portability ultrasound unit for your veterinary practice, remember that additional components may be necessary - and their costs will come in addition to the unit, such as transducer probes or any warranties you’d like to add on.
Find the Best Portable Ultrasound Unit for Your Veterinary Practice
At Universal Diagnostic Solutions you will find the perfect portable ultrasound unit for your veterinary practice. But, if you are not sure which one would best fit your needs, our team of ultrasound experts can help.
Contact Universal Diagnostic Solutions today at (760) 754-3288 to learn more or request a free quote. We work hard to help you find the right unit as our goal is for you to be happy with your purchase for years to come.