Did you recently purchase an ultrasound machine for your vet clinic? Would you like to help it last longer and enjoy some returns on your investment? Incorporate our recommended ultrasound machine maintenance tips, which are listed below.
Choice Medical Systems can provide a quality new or refurbished ultrasound machine and all the training you need to treat animals well. Let’s see how to care for your practice’s imaging tool the right way.
Why Does Your Veterinary Ultrasound Machine Need Maintenance?
To keep your system in tip-top shape,
Follow These Tips to Maintain Your Clinic’s Ultrasound Machine
When you properly maintain and use your ultrasound device, you can expect it to last an average of 10 years. To provide the best maintenance, follow these tips.
Break Up Tasks Into How Frequently You Need Them To Happen
Not every maintenance task requires the same frequency. If your practice would like to stay organized, consider implementing the following tasks:
- Daily: At the end of every day, perform one final cleaning. Inspect your device for damage.
- Weekly: The best ultrasound machine maintenance advice includes installing software updates. A deeper inspection of the hardware is also helpful.
- Monthly: Each month, check the calibration of your ultrasound. Perform a deeper cleaning to keep it spick and span.
Perform a Basic Cleaning After Every Use
To avoid contamination and reduce wear and tear, clean your practice’s machine after every use. This may feel excessive if you’re using it a dozen times a day, but the effort will pay off.
Follow these device-cleaning steps:
- Focus on cleaning the transducer. Use products specifically designed to clean ultrasound machines.
- Remove any accumulating dust, dander, and hair. A microfiber cloth works.
- Finish by wiping down the peripheral components, like cables. Use a damp cloth.
Choose a Safe Location for Your Device
Do you store your ultrasound machine when you’re not using it on two and four-legged patients? Doing so can prevent after-hours damage or dust from settling into the central processing unit.
How should you store your ultrasound?
- Ensure the location has climate control.
- Don’t expose the machine to direct sunlight.
- Confirm you can easily retrieve it without navigating tight spaces where you might bump into things.
You should also place your device in a safe location when you’re using it. Can people easily bump into it? Placing it in an area out of the way and with the same environmental conditions as where you store it is best.
Handle the Machine With Care
One ultrasound machine maintenance tip people often overlook is handling the device delicately. Do you need to transport your ultrasound device? Secure it tightly but gently and drive carefully while avoiding roads with significant bumps or potholes.
While they can withstand occasional bumps or dropped transducers, ultrasounds are carefully calibrated and don’t like being shaken around. The transducer has crystals that send the sound waves to produce the images you see. Damaging these crystals distorts that image or stops the sound waves completely.
To ensure you properly care for your device, schedule regular staff training, especially if they regularly use the machine. Document any misuse or incidents that damage the transducer. If you notice patterns, take steps to prevent them in the future.
Schedule Regular Maintenance With a Professional
You should schedule service with an ultrasound maintenance professional at least annually.
Do you see a high volume of pets that require diagnostic imaging technology? Consider more frequent maintenance.
What tasks will the ultrasound technician complete?
- Inspect the transducer, cables, and wiring.
- Provide a deeper cleaning of air filters, vents, and brackets.
- Backup the system to reduce the severity of system failures.
- Check the machine’s network connection and software.
Restrict Which Professionals Can Use the Equipment
Experts also recommend not allowing just anyone to use this expensive equipment. Ultrasound operators need the proper training to ensure they don’t damage any of the components.
Most times, it’s also not a service vets offer unless they’ve exhausted all other diagnostic options.
Ensure You Understand the Warranty
Your ultrasound equipment will come with a warranty from a reputable supplier. Read it carefully to understand all the nuances.
In particular, warranties should outline how much maintenance the unit requires. If you forgo annual tune-ups, could you void the agreement? The warranty will also have specific care advice for the exact model you’ve purchased.
The Benefits of Maintaining Your Veterinarian Ultrasound
What benefits do you obtain when you invest in ultrasound machine maintenance for your veterinary practice?
You’ll Provide Accurate Diagnostics
What happens when worn-out or damaged equipment emits poor images? You’ll have trouble properly diagnosing someone’s pet or even miss something important!
Your passion for keeping animals healthy is rivaled only by their owner’s love for them. When you prioritize maintenance for your equipment, you won’t miss important symptoms.
Your Clients Will Experience Increased Satisfaction
Pet owners and others bring their animals to you because they know you can provide the best care. Won’t seeing a clean device give them a warm, fuzzy feeling about your services and hope that you can solve whatever medical condition it is?
When visitors feel satisfied and valued, they come back.
You Help Your Machine Last Longer
Depending on its technology and features, a veterinary machine can cost between $1,500 and $75,000. It’s not an expense you want to pay until it’s time.
When you help your machine last longer, you squeeze every last drop of value from it.
At Choice Medical Systems, Our Premium Products Last Longer
Now that you know all about ultrasound machine maintenance, you might want to know that you can count on Choice Medical Systems for premium equipment for vet clinics alongside the meticulous service needed to care for the unit! Whether you’re wondering about things to look for in veterinary ultrasound equipment, need annual maintenance, or are ready to find your perfect machine, contact us online or call 727-592-5668!
