Experiences with Handheld Ultrasound in Obstetrics

In the dynamic world of obstetrics, innovative technology is a constant companion and a necessity in improving patient care. A significant innovation, GE HealthCare's wireless portable dual-probe ULS handheld system, the Vscan Air™, is at the heart of an insightful study¹ from 2021/2022. The study found that the use of handheld ultrasound devices significantly reduced the time required for various diagnostic procedures. Specifically, the time spent on performing ultrasounds was reduced by approximately 30%. The authors recommend integrating handheld ultrasound devices into daily practice in labor rooms to enhance efficiency and improve patient care.

Handheld ultrasound in daily clinical practice

The study aimed to analyze the perceptions of obstetrics and gynecology junior doctors at Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, who used the Vscan Air in their daily obstetrics routine. This was a single-facility study conducted at Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, where six residents in the final year of their training participated, employing the ultrasound in real clinical situations. At the end of their six-month rotation, participants completed anonymous surveys focusing on various aspects of device usage: from handling and image quality to the user-friendliness of the associated mobile app.

Positive experiences with Vscan Air

The study's results are unequivocal: all participants were impressed by the Vscan Air and expressed the desire to use the device in their future practice. They particularly highlighted the probe's easy handling and the app's user-friendliness. Image quality was consistently rated as good, and a majority confirmed that the handheld ultrasound was often sufficient and did not require additional confirmation from a conventional ultrasound device.

Fetal brain – circle of Willis

The statements made in the study underscore the Vscan Air's potential to revolutionize clinical practice in obstetrics. By providing a user-friendly, wireless portable ultrasound that delivers high-quality images, the device helps shorten the time to diagnosis. This could be invaluable in fast-paced environments like the delivery room, where time is often a critical factor.

All study participants said they would recommend the handheld ultrasound device to their colleagues and support the scanner's deployment in maternity clinics.

Conclusion

Although the study involved a small number of participants, it nevertheless offers important insights into the practical application and perceived benefits of the Vscan Air. The study confirms the experience that the Vscan Air is easy to use, provides good image quality, and reduces the time to make a clinical diagnosis. Handheld ultrasound devices enable efficient ultrasound examinations in obstetrics or gynecology without a console system in the examination room and can bring sustainable benefits in daily use in maternity hospitals.

¹Romain Corroenne, Marion Chesnais, Chelsea Khawand, Isabelle Attali, Anne Sophie Boucherie, Manon Defrance, Rosemary Morgan, Louise Maurey, Yves Ville, Laurent J Salomon: Physicians’ perceptions of the daily use of a handheld ultrasound device in the labor room, In: Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, Volume 52, Issue 7, 2023

JB07578XE