Latest News

Ultrasound QA Quiz 2023 – Win a FitBit

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The Multi-Medix Ultrasound QA Quiz is back!

With less than a month to go before the BMUS Annual Scientific meeting, we have recreated our quick quiz on Ultrasound Quality Assurance.

There is no need to do any revision in advance – scroll to the bottom of the page to have a go at the ultrasound QA quiz or click here

It takes less that one minute and every entry, no matter what you score, is submitted into a prize draw for a Fitbit Inspire 3

(Though you may find some of the answers to the quiz on the Multi-Medix Online Knowledge Portal) 

The winner will be drawn at the BMUS Conference on December 7th at our stand (17).

Here is the happy winner of the Hotel Chocolate Velvetiser, that we gave away as part of the quiz last year.

Multi-Medix Ultrasound QA Quiz

Quiz Winner 2022, Michelle Ambat, who won a Hotel Chocolate Velvetiser

ultrasound quiz prize

Fitbit Inspire 3

Good luck everyone!

Who are Multi-Medix?

Multi-Medix was formed with one principal aim – to increase the uptake of Ultrasound Quality Assurance (QA) for the safety of patients.

We offer a range of services that enable your organisation to implement robust ultrasound quality assurance (QA) programmes, to ensure optimum image quality and patient safety. We are independent and objective, with friendly staff who will see you onsite & continue to support you offsite with ultrasound QA advice and help.

Our ever popular Probe Care Essentials course, is now taking bookings for January 2024.  It presents a great way to kick start your QA programme at the start of a new year. The course is only one hour, is CPD accredited course and costs £25 per delegate. Click here to find out more and for our booking form. Alternatively, contact [email protected] to enquire about dates and further information.

If you would like to find out more about us, please click here for our www.multi-medix.com

Latest News

Where do you fit into your QA Programme?

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Ultrasound Quality Assurance is a mandatory activity. It relies on the combined efforts of different people and disciplines, that come together like pieces in a jigsaw.

Your Ultrasound QA Programme: Who should be doing what?

Multi-Medix was formed with a principal aim – to increase the uptake of Ultrasound Quality Assurance (QA) for the safety of patients. As part of our training courses, we like to ask our delegates what they think QA is what part they think they have to play to implementing and maintaining a QA Programme. There are some common myths that are heard. For instance

“Don’t Biomedical Engineers look after all of ultrasound QA?”

“QA is a user activity”

“I have heard of IPEM 102 and this means that Medical Physics should be running the ultrasound QA programme. It is a physics test”

“We have an annual maintenance check. This means we have a QA programme”

“I can tell whilst scanning picture when there is something wrong with the probe or system”

None of these statements are true. All the parties mentioned above and more have role to play in QA Programme. It cannot be given to one person or department, It relies on coordination between various departments.

Your Ultrasound QA Programme: Where do you fit in?

Ultrasound QA Programme is made of four activities, all done by different parties, all important to create a robust QA Programme.

The top of the “jigsaw” shows the role of ultrasound users and assistants.

  • Only around 7% of faults with ultrasound equipment are found during clinical use i.e. it is not possible to tell, simply from scanning, that your probe is working correctly
  • There are daily and monthly checks – most of them only taking minutes to do. The specific tasks are described in the Diagnostic Ultrasound QA Manual and videos that can be found on the Multi-Medix Online Knowledge Portal.  Or you can book onto one our QA courses such as Probe Care Essentials.
  • These checks must be recorded and any anomalies reported & followed up Waiting for the annual planned maintenance checks may mean using faulty equipment for months.  All Multi-Medix clients have a helpline they can call if they spot anything that does not look right in their regular checks.

The bottom of the “jigsaw” demonstrates the role of specialist testing done by Biomedical Engineers, Medical Physicists or Independent Providers such as Multi-Medix.

  • “Baselining” the system. This provides the benchmark that all the user checks above measure against and future annual testing will measure against.
  • All new systems need to be acceptance tested.
  • Annually the QA system should be reviewed by an independent party to assess its effectiveness and suggest improvements.

Multi-Medix has helped many hospitals and clinics set up effective QA Programmes either by providing training that helps to fill knowledge gaps in an organisation’s “jigsaw”. Or providing independent specialist testing and audit services.

We will be at stand 14 at BMUS Conference from December 6th – 9th 2022. Please drop by and ask us any questions on QA – we look forward to seeing you.

Alternatively please email  [email protected] or  [email protected] for advice on ultrasound QA and information about our training courses.

Latest News

Multi-Medix at BMUS Conference 2022

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Multi-Medix will be exhibiting at BMUS conference 2022, at stand 14, from December 6th – 8th  in Cardiff.

Make 2023 a Quality Year. Improve patient safety through implementing an Ultrasound Quality Assurance Programme
Come to stand 14 and chat with our friendly staff for more information on “QA Everyday” – the beginning of your route to compliance.

Our staff will be participating in the BMUS conference 2022 Scientific Programme presentations:

  • Dr Nick Dudley will be giving a talk on “Transducer Care” at the Veterinary Session 1 on the morning of  Day 3 and “Quality and Accuracy of Vascular Ultrasound Equipment” also on the morning of Day 3.
  • Daniel Wyatt will be presenting “Ultrasound QA: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” on Day 1 at 2pm as part of the Ultrasound Safety Session.

A full programme of events can be found here.

We will also be running bitesize training sessions via “Education at the Stand” at 1.30pm on Day 1

Ultrasound QA tests – A practical introduction

See how quick and easy user Quality Assurance tests really are;  a few minutes is really all it takes.  Join Multi-Medix for our demonstration on how to check your probes & systems are defect free, safe, and compliant. Includes a free Multi-Medix test tool too!

Enter this year’s QA quiz and win a “Velvetiser”

Following the popularity of our quiz last year, we are running another QA quiz this year. It takes less that one minute to do, and  every entry submitted also is submitted into a prize draw has a chance of winning a Hotel Chocolat “Velvetiser” . The draw will take place on the final day of BMUS. To take the quiz, click here. Good luck!

 

We look forward to meeting with you,

The Multi-Medix Team

 

 

 

 

Latest News

Probe Care Essentials Course Information & Booking Form

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Research shows one in three ultrasound probes in UK hospitals are faulty?*

Our hands-on, 60 minute training session teaches probe care
best practise – an essential part of Ultrasound Quality Assurance

Probe Care Essentials Course – Key learning Outcomes

      • Improve patient safety by learning how to check probes for defects
      • Reduce equipment costs due to probe damage through our probe handling technique demonstrations
      • Become legally compliant with the Health & Social Care Act: we explain how
        Health & Social Care Act: we explain how
      • Receive ongoing help and guidance through the Multi-Medix QA Helpline
      • Access to QA Guidance & videos via the Multi-Medix Ultrasound QA Portal

Course Details:

      • Duration: 45-60 minutes
      • Location: on-site in your department
      • Suitable for Sonographers, Radiographers and Imaging Assistants
      • Complies with guidance from BMUS and the Multi-Medix Diagnostic Quality Assurance Manual
      • Download our leaflet here for more details: Probe Care Essentials Leaflet

The course supports CPD Now Outcomes 1,2,3,4,9,11.

Click here to fill in your booking form

Diagnostic Ultrasound QA Manual from Multi-Medix

Latest News

Ultrasound QA Quiz 2022 – This year with added chocolate sprinkles!

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Our QA Quick Quiz is back!

To celebrate Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month & the BMUS conference we have recreated our quick QA quiz on Ultrasound Quality Assurance.

There is no need to do any revision in advance – scroll to the bottom of the page to have a go or click here

It takes less that one minute and every entry, no matter what you score, is submitted into a prize draw for a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. 

(Though you may find some of the answers to the quiz on the Multi-Medix Online Knowledge Portal) 

The winner will be drawn at the BMUS Conference on December 8th at our stand (14), so there is plenty of time for your prize to arrive in time for Christmas.

Here is the happy winner of the Apple ipad that we gave away as part of the quiz last year.

Winner of QA Quiz prize 2021 – Alison McGuiness

Good luck everyone!

 

 

Latest News

Multi-Medix at UKIO conference – Research presentation & free ultrasound user QA training

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QA Checks take Minutes – Let Multi-Medix should you how at the UKIO conference

We know many ultrasound departments plan to implement a QA programme. Come and have a chat with the Multi-Medix team at the UKIO conference,  who will be happy to demonstrate how to start doing “QA Everyday”.
Email [email protected] to your register interest.

Key research findings – are you one of the 10%?

In the summer of 2019, Multi-Medix conducted a survey to find out the current level of Ultrasound QA undertaken.

From this valuable input, we submitted a research paper and Multi-Medix will be presenting at the UKIO conference. A key finding was only 10% of NHS Trust have a complete QA programme.

Time pressure and lack of knowledge were cited as the main reasons why little or no ultrasound QA was being done on a regular basis. Let Multi-Medix show you how to start doing QA Everyday.

Not coming to UKIO? The Multi-Medix Ultrasound QA Knowledge Portal is still free to join

If you are thinking of setting up a QA Programme, the Multi-MedixQA Knowledge Portal has access to the our popular  “Diagnostic Ultrasound QA Manual”. This includes QR codes to videos that can get you started. Click HERE to access the Knowledge Portal.
Find out more about our QA Everyday programme here

UKIO conference July 2022

See us at stand B52

Come and find us on Stand B52 where you will also find Advance Ultrasound Electronics. AUE Ltd is the only company in the UK that has been trained to our high standard in ultrasound QA and offer this as part of their ultrasound services and maintenance. All QA performed by AUE Ltd  is signed off annually by Multi-Medix ensuring that an independent review is undertaken. Drop by our stand B52, to find out more.

Latest News

Ultrasound QA training “Face to Face” : Probe Care Essentials

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Ultrasound QA Training Course : Probe Care Essentials

Multi-Medix will soon restart “face to face” ultrasound QA training courses, beginning with “Probe Care Essentials”.

When developing our courses we have started with what ultrasound users need and want. Our staff recently attended a BMUS study day and consulted with key individuals to ensure our QA course programmes achieve the desired outcomes:

  • Attendees will learn how to prevent probe damage, minimising bills for the department.
  • This bitesize course fits well into a lunchtime or clinical governance slot

What do I need to know about Probe Care?

The cornerstone to good quality assurance is effective probe care.  Our course “Probe Care Essentials” will cover the basics and demonstrate how it fits into the QA cycle.  This short hour course would take place either online or at your location.

Quality Assurance is not something that is just done by Medical Physics, Biomeds or your QA lead only. It is done by all these people and ultrasound users. QA requires a combined effort but it starts with the daily checks all sonographers and imaging assistants must attend to. The checks take minutes at the start of the day, but are critical to patient safety.

When did you last check your probes?

Yesterday? Last month? Can’t remember?

Quality Assurance is a core competency of ultrasound users.  Diagnostic Imaging Support Workers are expected to be

“Undertaking defined QA/QC checks on equipment, working to a set procedure/protocol (such as ultrasound equipment or image display monitors). Identify nonconformities, and record and report results appropriately”  AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework:)

The BMUS/S0R Professional Guidelines for Professional Ultrasound Practise state (Section 2.9: Ultrasound Equipment and Quality Assurance Testing)

“An ultrasound practitioner is expected to:

  1. Have detailed knowledge of ultrasound equipment in order to ensure that it is appropriate for purpose
  2. Manipulate the equipment correctly so that patient diagnosis and management are not compromised
  3. Take care when using the equipment in order to avoid damage
  4. Ensure that regular planned preventative maintenance is carried out by qualified personnel
  5. Ensure that an agreed quality assurance programme is in place that incorporates the regular inspection of ultrasound machines and ancillary equipment”

Ultrasound quality assurance is a legal activity so naturally requests for training and help did not stop because of the pandemic. The most common request was for a Probe Care course either because ultrasound users said they were looking for refresher training or considering developing an ultrasound QA programme in their department.

If you would like to request more information about Probe Care Essentials or our other training courses click here.

Latest News

QA Quiz: Are you really doing Ultrasound QA?

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To celebrate the BMUS conference this year, we have created a quick QA quiz on Ultrasound Quality Assurance. Every entry submitted also is submitted into a prize draw for a iPad that will arrive in time for Christmas.

***PLEASE NOTE – THE PRIZE DRAW IS NOW CLOSED***

You may find some of the answers to the QA quiz at our BMUS conference presentation on December 8th at 3.30pm. We will be presenting from our advanced probe testing lab and all industry sessions are free to watch: Anatomy of an ultrasound probe: What’s inside and why it’s important to you

Multi-Medix is offering a free consultation to anyone wishing to start or improve their ultrasound QA programme, please email for more information. In the meantime, you may want to view our our “Diagnostic Ultrasound Quality Assurance Manual” and videos by joining the Multi-Medix Online Knowledge Portal.

Good luck!

 

Diagnostic Ultrasound Quality Assurance Manual

Diagnostic Ultrasound Quality Assurance Manual available on the www.multi-medix.com on the Ultrasound QA Knowledge portal

 

 

Latest News

Silver sponsor at BMUS Conference 2021

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Multi-Medix is proud to be a silver sponsor at the BMUS Conference this year. The title for the 2021 conference is “Striving for Excellence”: a message that resonates with our mission to provide Quality Assurance training and services.

We are an active participant in the BMUS conference – we intend to attend many of the session as well as the presenting those below. Our team are looking forward to interacting with the BMUS Community from November 29th through to December 9th.

Registration is open until Sunday 28th November, with the industry sessions such as ours, free to watch. A full programme of events can be found here.

Multi-Medix is participating the following events:

Thursday December 2nd 10am

New Beamforming Technologies etc

Our Research Director, Dr Nick Dudley, presents on “Sonographer Lead Ultrasound QA”, as part of a general session on QA.

“With the ever-wider adoption of the Quality Standard for Imaging by clinical departments across the country, the regular quality assurance testing of ultrasound scanners by sonographers and physicists is becoming increasingly important. This session examines some of the new and established quality assurance techniques that are available today, and shows how they can be effectively implemented in busy imaging departments”

For more information about the session, click here:

The “Diagnostic Ultrasound QA Manual”, available on the Multi-Medix website by joining the QA Knowledge portal here is a great aide for anyone wishing to start a User QA Programme.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Quality Assurance Manual

Monday December 6th 8pm

“A survey of ultrasound QA implementation in the UK “- 

In July 2020, A questionnaire was developed and sent to 170 NHS Chief Executives and relevant Imaging departments to establish the level of QA in place in their Trusts. Our Research Director, Dr Nick Dudley, goes through the findings and recommendations.

This is followed by

The BMUS Conference Quiz! 

The ever popular quiz this year is being sponsored by Multi-Medix. Get you fingers on the buzzers and no cheating please!

 

Wednesday December 3.30pm – FREE INDUSTRY SESSION

“Anatomy of the Probe: What’s inside and why its important to you”

Effective transducer care is important to patient safety.

Learn how to look after your probe from the inside out. We will be in our advanced probe testing lab, ready for a practical session showing you a dissected probe.

For more information, click here

 

Win an iPad!

To celebrate the BMUS conference this year, we have created a quick quiz on Ultrasound Quality Assurance. Every entry submitted also is submitted into a prize draw for a iPad (closing date midday December 17th 2021)

To take the quiz, click here. Good luck!

 

We look forward to learning, meeting with you (albeit virtually) and hopefully also being able to have some laughs with you all over the two weeks of the conference.

The Multi-Medix Team

 

 

 

 

Latest News

RAD magazine: Ultrasound QA – a case study

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Multi-Medix was featured in RAD Magazine in July, reviewing the recent ultrasound QA webinars and providing a case study on how we have helped hospitals set up their ultrasound QA programmes.

To read a copy of the article, click here.

We are really proud of the reception our webinars received. Co-hosted with Dr Nick Dudley and Gillian Harrison, the webinars were well attended with a worldwide audience, interested in implementing ultrasound user QA. Webinar recordings are available to all on the Multi-Medix website via the Online Knowledge Portal.

The webinars are intended to simplify the implementation of ultrasound user QA with the intention of enabling ultrasound departments to implement user QA programmes themselves.

For those departments who are under resourced or simply do have the time to start a user QA programme, Multi-Medix can offer a helping hand. QA Protect enables ultrasound departments to get started and grow the teams’ confidence, empowering them to do regular QA activities.

Ultrasound departments have already benefited from the using the resources on the online portal.

The RAD magazine article featured, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and the QA Programme Multi-Medix helped them implement:

“Through our QA checks, we have picked up things that may not have been spotted until the annual service. It has been really useful to have the ongoing support that Multi-Medix provides. We can simply send a photo of an image or probe or ask a question to the technical staff at any time. This provides us with greater confidence in our ultrasound systems.

“The enhancements Multi-Medix suggested to our QA system, have been easy to administer and have become part of day to day routines. In fact, because it is standardised it has allowed us to extend it to other departments, so we are all doing the same thing, saving time,” Olga Allan, lead sonographer in obstetric ultrasound, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust

These words are echoed in many ultrasound departments and clinics around the country already using the patented programme. Sonographers can quickly and easily perform their mandatory QA checks: safety and quality are assured, patient scanning time is maximised. Finally, through learning and implementing QA, staff can gain CPD credit.

QA Everyday is unique: it provides a QA service ‘in a box’ that covers everything needed to start a QA programme, support sonographers with their day to day QA and provide an independent audit. Ultrasound users become confident in their own ability and therefore confident in their systems safety compliance.

Multi-Medix is offering a free consultation to anyone wishing to improve their ultrasound QA programme, please email for more information. Free recordings of the QA webinars are available on the Multi-Medix Online Knowledge Portal.