Australian Sonographers Association

ASA Guidelines for Determining the Sex of a Fetus.

Sexing of the fetus for non-medical reasons is not a recognised indication for an ultrasound examination and no procedure should be performed for this reason alone. If the sex of the fetus is required for medical reasons then consultation is required with the referring doctor to determine if an Amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is required. Workplace policy should always be adhered to when sexing a fetus during a routine ultrasound scan. In the event of no workplace policy the ASA suggests the following.

If the patient has requested sexing of the baby during a routine scan, this should not impact on the length, or the quality of the examination.

If sexing is not possible due to sub-optimal images of the fetus or fetal position, this should be explained to the patient.

If sexing is possible, the patient should always be made aware that the results are not always accurate and reliable, and so the patient should not rely on the scan results in making any plans.

ASA Guidelines for Transvaginal Scanning.

A transabdominal scan should routinely be performed first, and the sonographer together with the radiologist/sonologist should then determine if a transvaginal (TV) study is needed to clarify pathology or further extend the study. Each practice should develop a protocol (preferably in writing) indicating when a TV scan should be performed.

The procedure should be clearly explained to the patient, and their verbal consent obtained. The patient should be made aware that they can terminate the examination at any time if they feel the examination is not proceeding as they had expected.

Sonographers should perform TV scans only if they are an accredited sonographer to ensure the patients safety. Sonographers should respect the patients right to privacy, and dignity.

TV scans should only be performed with equipment that has been specifically designed for the procedure.

The sonographer or patient may decide to have a chaperone/3rd person in the room. Having a chaperone is not a legal requirement, and some patients may feel uncomfortable with a third person in the room and decline the offer.

The transvaginal probe must be covered with an appropriate covering such as a condom or manufacturers designed probe cover.

The transvaginal probe must be cleaned and soaked in an appropriate disinfecting solution after each scan.

Guidelines for Ultrasound Scanning for Teaching Purposes.

To include educational meetings and national conferences.

All patients being scanned for teaching purposes must have a full explanation of the procedure and any associated risks. The patient must consent to their medical practitioner being informed of any unexpected findings. They must be told that it is not a full diagnostic examination, as it is for teaching purposes only.

The patient must complete and sign an ASA "Consent to Ultrasound Scanning for Teaching Purposes" form. A separate form is required for transvaginal ultrasounds. These forms must be collated and forwarded to the ASA secretariat at the conclusion for storage.

The ASA advises that videos should not be recorded during the scan.