Physics and Safety Statements

BMUS set up a safety group in 1998 to advise membership on safety issues in ultrasound and make recommendation to them. The group consists of, at most, 6 members of whom one must be a medical practitioner, one a sonographer and one a scientist, the current Chair is Dr Prashant Verma. The Physics & Safety group's remit is to provide informed advice to the President and Council of BMUS on matters of ultrasound safety, to inform the BMUS membership about safety issues and to be a focus for action in the UK in matters of ultrasound safety. The Physics & Safety group regularly publishes a statement on the 'Safe Use, and potential hazards of diagnostic ultrasound' and has produced two guidelines one on 'Safety for trainees using live subjects' and a second for the 'Safe use of diagnostic equipment'. This second Guideline document includes guidance on the use of the safety indices (thermal index and mechanical index) that are displayed on modern imaging equipment, and contains a rationale for the recommendations made. These documents are available on the website.