Selfcare

I have been a sonographer since 1999 and in 2017,  I suffered a work related injury, my shoulder was frozen and very painful, I couldn’t move my arm at all, I immediately went to see an Orthopedist who ordered an MRI and gave me a cortisone injection, along with pain medication. I received six weeks of physical therapy and later on it turned out I needed surgery ASAP . MRI showed I had a tear, which turned out to be a detachment of my supraspinatus muscle from the greater tubercle of the humerus bone, this caused me to be off work for nine months,  during this time I  became depressed not knowing if I would ever scan again, or what would happen to my career, it was a long  healing process, but thanks to my wonderful Doctor and the support I received from my colleagues,  I was able to recover and thankfully I am back to scanning . I am now even more aware and conscientious of my ergonomics, I became certified in Healthcare Ergonomics in 2021. I hope that my experience can help and inspire you so that you don’t become another statistic , prioritize self-care.

   OSHA   has guidelines an recommendations for employers and sonographers about the hazards and prevention of work related injuries.  Make sure that your department also has the proper ergonomic tools needed to prevent you from getting injured. Statistics and research has been reported that 91% of sonographers are scanning in pain.  

Please help us by taking  a moment to sign our petition  .We are asking for change and a call to action in the Sonography  industry, we need a tangible limit based patient ratio enforced into our schedules. We need to have a cap on the excessive amount of scans per shift by each Sonographer. We need safe staffing ratios implemented in our daily schedules for the safety and care of our patients and to protect Sonographers career, livelihood and well being . 

Thank you !

Be safe , stay healthy and strong! #USSAFE