Dear Don, I've been scanning since l982 and have been using the technique of
sitting behind the patient, I have good control of the transducer, good access
to the control panel, able to observe the patient, talk to the patient and
have good alignment of the neck and body.  We also have been using dental
chairs for many years.  They make the patients so comfortable and can be
adjusted to different heights and angles. When scanning all day, posture is
very important to prevent fatigue and yes, we must remember ergonomics.
Sincerely, Carol Vandenberg, RN, RVT  Peripheral Vascular Associates, San
Antonio, Tx

Don Ridgway wrote:

> This isn't what you'd call Earth-shaking, but there's a bit of a bet:
>
> What position are people taking relative to the patient when scanning
> carotids? I'm still of the old school, sitting behind the patient's head.
> Another tech tells me nobody scans like that any more; he stands at the
> patient's side, facing the patient, much as one would doing an abdominal
> scan but a bit farther toward the head.
>
> Could I ask for a bit of a survey? There's a lunch riding on this. You can
> reply straight to me so as not to clutter the Flownet up severely:
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Thanks a ton.
>
> Don Ridgway
> Grossmont Hospital
> Grossmont College