Alara Education Program - Philips EPIQ 7 User Manual

Safety
• If an allergic reaction does occur and latex is suspected, advise the patient of a possible
latex sensitivity and consider an immunologic evaluation.
• Advise the patient to tell health professionals and emergency personnel about any known
latex sensitivity before undergoing medical procedures. Consider advising patients with
severe latex sensitivity to wear a medical identification bracelet.
The FDA is asking health professionals to report incidents of adverse reactions to latex or other
materials used in medical devices. (See the October 1990 FDA Drug Bulletin.) To report an
incident, contact the FDA Problem Reporting Program, MedWatch, at 1-800-332-1088, or on
the Internet:
www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/
For a single copy of a reference list on latex sensitivity, write to: LATEX, FDA, HFZ-220, Rockville,
MD 20857.
NOTE
The ultrasound system and transducers described in this document do not contain natural
rubber latex that contacts humans. Natural rubber latex is not used on any Philips ultrasound
transducer. It also is not used on Philips ECG cables for the products described in this
document.

ALARA Education Program

The guiding principle for the use of diagnostic ultrasound is defined by the "as low as
reasonably achievable" (ALARA) principle. The decision as to what is reasonable has been left to
the judgment and insight of qualified personnel. No set of rules can be formulated that would
be sufficiently complete to dictate the correct response to every circumstance. By keeping
ultrasound exposure as low as possible, while obtaining diagnostic images, users can minimize
ultrasonic bioeffects.
Since the threshold for diagnostic ultrasound bioeffects is undetermined, it is the sonographer's
responsibility to control total energy transmitted into the patient. The sonographer must
reconcile exposure time with diagnostic image quality. To ensure diagnostic image quality and
limit exposure time, an ultrasound system provides controls that can be manipulated during the
exam to optimize the results of the exam.
50
Biological Safety
EPIQ 7 User Manual 4535 617 25341