Registry Reports

November/December 1998, Volume XVI, Issue 6

Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues Supportive of ARDMS' Position on Physician Supervision

During the closing months of Congress, the ARDMS met with and educated members of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. The purpose of this initiative was to communicate the Registry’s concerns regarding the Medicare physician reimbursement rules as they relate to the fields of ultrasound and vascular technology. Comprised of all women Members of Congress, the Caucus is active on many healthcare reform issues. The Caucus is led by Vice Chair, Representative Sue Kelly (R-NY), Vice-Chair, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Co-Chair, Representative Nancy Johnson (R-CT), and Co-Chair Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

In followup to the educational efforts, on October 13th the leadership of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues sent a joint letter to the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) raising concerns similar to the ARDMS’ regarding the yet-to-be-determined physician supervision provisions.

The ARDMS is very pleased that this influential group of Congressional leaders has raised the issue with the Administrator of HCFA as to the appropriate level of physician supervision for ultrasound examinations. In addition to the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, other Members of Congress also wrote letters to HCFA expressing the Registry’s concerns about ultrasound supervision.

Timothy A. Sares, Joins ARDMS as New Director of Testing

The ARDMS is pleased to announce that Timothy A. Sares, PhD, recently joined the organization’s staff as the new Director of Testing. Mr. Sares brings great expertise and related experience to the ARDMS. He earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and received his Ph.D. emphasizing psychological measurement from the University of Illinois. Immediately prior to joining the ARDMS, Mr. Sares was the Testing Director for Harper College in Palantine, IL. During his five year tenure at Harper, he introduced computer adaptive testing for college course placement and coordinated the administration of the nursing and dental hygiene entrance examinations.

Prior to beginning his career in testing, Mr. Sares spent several years as a software analyst for the Michael Reese Health Maintenance Organization. He then accepted a computer-related position with the Illinois Institute of Technology. It was through that position that Mr. Sares became interested in examination administration. "While serving as the Manager of Computer Services at IIT, I was asked to participate in a project to develop software for computer simulation, testing and instruction. That introductory experience served as a segue into my career in testing," explained Sares. Following his position with IIT, Mr. Sares spent several years in the test development division of Houghton Mifflin.

When asked about his immediate goals for the ARDMS, Sares commented, "One of the projects I would like to investigate is the delivery of surveys and mock exams via the Internet. Also, I want to focus on norms established for item calibration, reliability and validity. But for now, I am just excited about the opportunity to serve the ARDMS."

Letter From the Chair

Marie De Lange BS, RT, RDMS, RDCS

I am pleased that we are able to end 1998 with a wide variety of positive news. As you read above, the ARDMS welcomed a new Director of Testing, Timothy Sares, PhD, during September. Some of you may have had the pleasure of meeting Tim in the ARDMS exhibit during the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers’ meeting held in Orlando. We look forward to the expertise and innovative ideas that he brings to the ARDMS. Prior to the start of the SDMS meeting, a summit meeting was hosted by SDMS President, Joan Baker, RDMS. Convening representatives from the Society of Vascular Technology, the American Society of Echocardiography, as well as the SDMS and ARDMS, it was an excellent opportunity for discussion of significant issues that are of common interest to the sonographers and vascular technologists represented by each of these groups. The full agenda included topics of both legislative and clinical nature. The 1998 written examination administration held October 17th was very successful. In 1999 we will offer the two remaining written examinations, adult and pediatric echocardiography twice, May 15th and October 16th. As we continue to work toward making these two examinations available on computer, it is hoped that these two administrations during 1999 will allow individuals a more convenient opportunity to earn the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer credential. As explained in this issue, the 1999 Information & Examination Application booklets, which will be available in mid November, provide information about each of the eleven examinations offered by the ARDMS. We are continuing to evaluate the need for focused examinations and have included items on the 1998 Annual Registrant Survey related to this issue. I encourage those of you who are randomly selected to receive the survey (about one quarter of the 35,000 registrants) to provide your input. Plans to also include the survey on the ARDMS web page are underway to enable us to receive input from a larger percentage of registrants without incurring additional printing and postage costs. An article on page 3 of this issue explains the details. Related to the concept of focused examinations, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine plans to begin a program for the accreditation of dedicated breast ultrasound facilities in mid 1999. They have asked the ARDMS to consider offering a corresponding certification examination. Currently, a small percentage of items related to breast ultrasound is covered within the Superficial Structures section of the Abdomen Specialty examination. This fall, many of you became involved in assisting us with promoting the public service announcement to help educate the public about the importance of certified sonographers. Page 6 announces the availability of a public education videotape. We are very proud of this video, a first-of-its-kind project for the ARDMS. We hope it will be very helpful to you in educating your patients and many other audiences about the basics of ultrasound and primarily, the significance of certification. Another way that we are continuing to get the word out about certification is through coverage in the media. You may remember the articles published during 1998 that were featured in American Baby, Women’s Weekly and Redbook magazines explaining the importance of the ARDMS credentials to readers. Most recently, we have begun receiving requests from television stations in the major markets for interviews. In mid October I had the unique experience of being involved in an interview filmed at UCLA for Los Angeles’ KABC-TV. In addition, ARDMS board members from New York University and Massachusetts General Hospital have participated in interviews with the cable station New York One and Boston’s NBC affiliate, WHDH-TV. These opportunities allowed us to address the importance of qualified, certified ultrasound professionals. As 1998 comes to an end, I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season and look forward serving as your Chair in 1999. Marie De Lange, BS, RT, RDMS, RDCS

1999 Examination Application

The 1999 Information & Examination Application is now available. As outlined within the booklet, nine of the eleven examinations offered by the ARDMS are now administered as Computer Examinations. This dynamic, state-of-the-art format offers many benefits including the candidate’s ability to apply for and take the examinations throughout the year at convenient times and locations.

The Adult and Pediatric Echocardiography specialty examinations are the two remaining Written Examinations. These examinations will be offered on computer at a future date, however, administering the videotape portion of these examinations via computer has presented technical challenges. While efforts for computerization are continuing, the ARDMS will offer these examinations during two administrations in 1999, May 15th and October 16th. The 1999 Information & Examination Application provides details on application deadlines and test centers.

Please contact the ARDMS to receive a copy of the 1999 Information & Examination Application. Note: To apply for an examination using the 1998 form of the application, the ARDMS must receive your completed application on or before December 31, 1998.

Recommendation for registrants Applying for New Specialty Exams

Although not required, it is strongly recommended that registrants preparing to sit for examinations in new specialty areas be exposed to a minimum of six months of full-time clinical experience (equivalent to approximately 400 cases) in the new specialty area. This recommendation is intended as a guideline for registrants preparing to take additional specialty examinations.

New EDTF Members

The Exam Development Task Force (EDTF) members play an integral role in the development and continual review of the ARDMS examinations. Each EDTF is comprised of ultrasound professionals who create, review and evaluate the examinations for content and validity. An EDTF exists for each ARDMS examination.

New EDTF members are appointed by the ARDMS Board of Directors through a detailed process. When future openings arise within an EDTF, the selection process begins. Current EDTF members are polled to provide a list of past Item Writers who are considered viable candidates to serve as EDTF members for that particular task force. The nominees are then solicited for their willingness to serve. Those who accept the nomination are asked to provide a copy of their curriculum vitae to the Board Development Committee. Members of the Board Development Committee interview each candidate. Once the interviews are completed, the Board Development Committee brings its recommendations to the Board of Directors and an election is conducted. The following ultrasound and vascular professionals were recently elected to fill EDTF positions:

Paul Armstrong, RDMS, MRT(R), is a member of the Obstetrics and Gynecology EDTF. Mr. Armstrong is an Acting Chair in the Health Sciences and Human Services Division at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in Hamilton, Ontario. In addition to practicing sonography, he teaches in Mohawk’s full-time and part-time ultrasound program, works as an assessor of independent health facilities, and serves as a consultant in applications and training for several ultrasound equipment manufacturers. Mr. Armstrong has served as a member of the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers’ Board of Directors and as Chair of their CME Credits Committee.

Diane E. Engelbrecht, MD, is a member of the Obstetrics and Gynecology EDTF. Dr. Engelbrecht currently practices radiology at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington. She is a Chapter President of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and a member of numerous medical societies. She earned the Outstanding Family Practice Research Award in 1987, and the Peter Roani, MD, Award in 1988. Dr. Engelbrecht received her M.D. degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she also won the Ishiyaku Book Award.

Janel M. Mays, BA, RN, RDCS, is a member of the Adult Echocardiography EDTF. She currently serves as the Clinical/Academic Echocardiography Coordinator for the Mayo School of Health-Related Sciences DMS Program and as Sonographer Education Coordinator for the Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Lab in Rochester, Minnesota. She participates in several professional societies and has contributed to the field through her prolific presentation history. She has published an article in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography and co-authored a book chapter on the organization of a transesophageal echocardiographic laboratory. Ms. Mays earned her degree in Nursing from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.

Congratulations new members! We look forward to your future contributions to the ARDMS.

ARDMS PSAs Air Throughout the Country

In the two previous issues, we mentioned the release of a television Public Service Announcement (PSA) to educate consumers about the importance of having ultrasound performed by ARDMS-certified sonographers. Well, the reviews have come in, and the effort was a tremendous success!

The PSA was distributed to broadcast stations and cable systems in the top 15 U.S. media markets. After sending the tapes, we asked each station’s public service director to give us feedback and to let us know if the PSA would be put into their rotation. We received numerous positive comments, about both the quality of the PSA and the importance of the issue. Special thanks to those of you who helped out by placing calls to your local stations encouraging them to air the PSA.

To date, the following stations/cable systems have informed us that they are currently airing the PSA, or will air it soon:

1998 Registrant Survey

In early November, the 1998 ARDMS Registrant Survey will be mailed to a percentage of the 35,000 ARDMS registrants. The survey includes a variety of questions designed to provide important data to the professions of sonography and vascular technology. Recipients are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to provide input that will shape the future of the profession.

In addition to collecting data from recipients of the printed surveys, the ARDMS hopes to publish the survey on the ARDMS Web Page (www.ardms.org) in early 1999. Interested registrants are encouraged to begin checking the ARDMS Web Page for news about the survey’s availability in mid December.

In advance, the ARDMS thanks all registrants who take the time to provide input.

Reminders for Registrants

Submission of CME documentation may be faxed (301-738-0312/0313) or mailed to the ARDMS and must include the following information

1) name of registrant;

2) ARDMS Registry number;

3) title of course or activity;

4) date of course or activity;

5) accreditation information (sponsoring organization);

6) number of credit hours awarded.

Documentation of earned Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits may be submitted to the ARDMS office throughout the year. Please include your ARDMS Registry number on all correspondence to the ARDMS. When calling the ARDMS office, please have your Registry number available.

The ARDMS wants to ensure that all registrants receive timely mailings and news. If you have recently moved, please email the following information  to the Registrant Services department at registrants@ardms.org;

• Name
• Registry Number
• New Address
• Phone Number

The ARDMS Job Information Service

For Employers, Direct Access to More than 30,000 Credentialed Sonographers and Vascular Technologists

For Registrants Seeking Employment, An Opportunity to Highlight Your Background, Experience and Desire for a New Position

The ARDMS is currently accepting job listings to appear in the January/Feruary 1999 issue. To publish a listing, please contact the Communications Department before December 15, 1998.

To Respond to an Employer Listing
Mail or fax your CV/resume and any other requested information to the ARDMS. Please make sure to reference the listing’s box number on the envelope or fax cover sheet.

To Respond to a Registrant Listing
Please contact the ARDMS by telephone or fax, referencing the specific box number of the listing you are responding to.

1999 ARDMS Registry Renewal Notice Mailing and 1999 ID Cards

The 1999 ARDMS Registry Renewal Notice was mailed to all ARDMS registrants in mid October. The notices reflect a fee of $45, with Canadian registrants having the option of remitting their payments in Canadian funds (CAD$60) sent directly to the ARDMS’ Canadian address. Registrants who did not receive a renewal notice are encouraged to contact the ARDMS.

To ensure that registrants receive their 1999 Identification Cards prior to the beginning of the year, the ARDMS encourages that payments be sent to arrive by November 2, 1998. The 1999 Identification Cards are similar to last year’s version including one card per registrant and personalization of all information through a process of "thermal imaging". Registrants are encouraged to proudly display this card to current and prospective employers as evidence of the Registry status earned and maintained with the ARDMS.

"Ultrasound: A Clearer Understanding"---ARDMS' New Public Education Video

"Ultrasound: A Clearer Understanding" is a new public education video produced by the ARDMS to help explain to many audiences the significance of the RDMS, RDCS and RVT sonographer credentials. The ARDMS is proud to offer this video as an additional mechanism for raising the public’s awareness of the important role that ARDMS certified sonographers have in quality ultrasound examinations.

The five-minute videotape is "continuous-play" and designed to communicate basic information about ultrasound examinations in a format intended for non-medical audiences. The video outlines the most common types of ultrasound procedures (abdominal, brain, cardiac, ophthalmic, prenatal, thyroid and vascular) and explains the corresponding ARDMS credentials. Throughout the video, it is explained that ARDMS certified sonographers have had significant training, passed rigorous examinations and are required to maintain the continuing education necessary to be qualified to perform ultrasound examinations. In addition, testimonials from physicians about the value they find in ARDMS certified sonographers and vascular technologists are included, as well as information about the recent media coverage on the topic of certified sonographers. The ARDMS was pleased to receive permission from Primetime Live to include a few pieces from the segment aired by ABC on January 14, 1998.

• an ideal tool for use in audio-visual presentations

• appropriate for showing to patients in waiting rooms prior to their ultrasound examinations

• communicate information about your credentials to physicians and administrators

The video is available for purchase by contacting the ARDMS and registrants are encouraged to use it in many settings.

Medicare's Reimbursement of Noninvasive Vascular Studies---Updated

Has the Medicare Carrier for your state decided to follow the recommended directive issued last year with regard to the reimbursement of noninvasive vascular studies? The directive, as outlined below, was given as a recommendation with each state’s Medicare Carrier being given the final decision as to whether to implement such a requirement.

"All non-invasive vascular diagnostic studies must be performed by, or under direct supervision of, persons that have demonstrated minimum entry level competency by being credentialed in vascular technology. Examples of appropriate certification include the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential and the Registered Cardiovascular Technologist (RCVT) in Vascular Technology. Direct supervision requires the credentialed individual’s physical presence in the facility."

To date, the states (shown below) have announced policy with regard to the reimbursement of noninvasive vascular studies.

Please keep in mind that these regulations are changed and updated regularly. The ARDMS, in conjunction with the AIUM, ASE, ICAVL, SDMS and the SVT, strives to stay abreast of each state’s reimbursement regulations, but we recommend that you contact the Medicare Carrier Director for your state with specific questions about the most current reimbursement information. If you have knowledge of information that is not included, please notify the ARDMS Communications Department.