Ultrasound in L&D

CMCRN · May 25, 2009

We always have an in house OB and if we have a question about presentation, or can't find a heart rate we just call the OB to run an ultrasound.

ducknurse · May 25, 2009

That is a problem for us...no in-house doc and no residents. In the past we have just called for an order based on pt presentation, but it has come into question if we should have "standing" orders for US in certain situations...

beachmom · May 26, 2009

We can use an ultrasound any time without an order, but we can't officially diagnose anything.

For example, if we check a woman and think it feels odd, like maybe breech but we're not sure, we can use the ultrasound to check the position before calling the provider. We can't do measurements to decide how far along the baby is.

Dustie4420 · Jun 9, 2009

We can use an ultrasound any time without an order, but we can't officially diagnose anything.
For example, if we check a woman and think it feels odd, like maybe breech but we're not sure, we can use the ultrasound to check the position before calling the provider. We can't do measurements to decide how far along the baby is.

What state are u employed in? I'm having a problem at work with this issue. Do you have a policy and procedure?

ducknurse · Jun 9, 2009

I work in Missouri and we do not have a p/p on this, but are trying to decide if we need one. We are running into issues with it being a protocol because every situation is different and hard to word correctly without making it a "nursing order". And I cannot find any research based practice other than for position, engagement, and diagnosis antepartum. Just frustrating...

Dustie4420 · Jun 9, 2009

I work in Missouri and we do not have a p/p on this, but are trying to decide if we need one. We are running into issues with it being a protocol because every situation is different and hard to word correctly without making it a "nursing order". And I cannot find any research based practice other than for position, engagement, and diagnosis antepartum. Just frustrating...

I just recently had an issue at work where when i first examined the pt she was head down, then the second time the baby was high, then a co-worker and i checked to see if we could see anything with the ultrasound. when we checked it looked like the head but i went ahead to confirm with a third exam, which ended up being the head. the pt came back 10 hours later and was breech (which babies can do). now they are trying to go after my nursing license stating i was outside my scope of practice. i tried looking up information reguarding protocols for an RN using an ultrasound and have not found anything.