Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024)
Health Technology Reviews

General Ultrasound Examination Volumes per Sonographer 8-Hour Workday

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Published February 27, 2024

Key Messages

  • The average number of general ultrasound examinations performed by a sonographer in an 8-hour workday is not well reported in the literature. Through an informal survey, we estimate that the average general ultrasound examination volume across Canada per 8-hour workday is 11.25, with a range of 9 to 14.
  • Understanding ultrasound examination data volumes provides information to help understand productivity. Decision-makers can also use the examination volume data and factors affecting sonographer examination throughput to create strategies to enhance efficiency in clinic and hospital departments.
  • Factors that may influence the average examination rate include examination time, the age of equipment, resource availability, staffing shortages, and sonographer’s work-related musculoskeletal disorders and stress.