Compact Ultrasound Donations to Medical Facilities in Low-Resource Countries

Abstract

A Survey-Based Assessment of the Current Status and Trends ompact ultrasound (US) systems have altered the landscape of medical US, challenging the traditional role of the hospital-based US service while dramatically expanding point-of-care use for specific problems. During the past decade, effective and affordable handheld units weighing less than 15 lb have become widely distributed, increasingly used by nonradiologists in novel ways and in previously inaccessible locations. Further advances can be expected as manufacturers race to provide ever more advanced imaging capabilities in increasingly small packages; US scanners no larger than smartphones are now on the market. As with any disruptive technology, handheld US presents established practitioners with opportunities as well as challenges. In low-resource regions where isolation, poverty, and political dysfunction Methods-We designed a 1-page, 10-question survey soliciting responses on donors, equipment, donation sites, training, and follow-up. Physicians and sonographers with qualifying donation experience were located by means of personal references, professional networking, and referral from US manufacturers. Respondents were also solicited at several online sites for medical imagers. The survey was active from May 2010 to March 2011 and was available via an interactive website (www.surveymonkey.com) or as an electronic download directly from the authors. Results-Fifteen respondents provided data on deployments spanning a 7-year period from 2004 to early 2011. Forty-eight compact US units were donated to sites in 15 different nations on 4 continents; 69% of the units went to sites in Africa. All but 4 sites received initial training. Donated systems were reported as "operational and functional" for all units for which the current status was available. Conclusions-Results suggest involvement by a broad variety of participants. The number of successful deployments and excellent equipment durability support the premise that small-scale, individual donation and training activities have the potential for a substantial public health impact. The authors recommend better coordination of effort and the need for additional data.