title: Optimal resources for ultrasonic examination of the heart.
abstract: The echocardiographic examination is described and the current status of ultrasound in cardiac diagnosis is summarized. Planning guidelines are provided for hospital-based echocardiographic laboratories including resource criteria for professional personnel and training, equipment, space and support systems. Minimal case loads for maintaining quality performance of the examiner are recommended and various administrative patterns for organizing an echocardiographic service are discussed. Approaches for establishing professional fees and emerging applications of diagnostic ultrasound in cardiovascular medicine are briefly reviewed. There is a description of the procedure for conducting an adequate cardiographic examination in children and adults.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006280:Health Workforce; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006801:Humans