AIUM grants ultrasound practice accreditation to Smith Institute for Urology

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) recently granted ultrasound practice accreditation in urology to Smith Institute for Urology in New Hyde Park, New York. This is the first practice to receive accreditation in the practice of urology from the AIUM. Ultrasound practice accreditation is a voluntary peer review process that allows practices to demonstrate that they meet or exceed nationally recognized standards in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound examinations. The accreditation process encourages providers of diagnostic ultrasound services to assess their strengths and weaknesses and initiate changes to improve their practices.

Practice director Bruce Gilbert, MD stated "As our practice grew, we greatly increased the number of physicians, sonographers, and locations at which ultrasound studies were being performed. This engendered the need for a uniform protocol for ultrasound studies to assure consistent quality. The AIUM Accreditation process helped organize our approach and markedly improve the quality of our process. "

The AIUM and the American Urological Association (AUA) worked collaboratively to develop the Practice Guideline for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination in the Practice of Urology. The guideline was developed to assist practitioners performing an ultrasound examination in the practice of urology and provides direction in the areas of kidney, bladder, prostate, scrotal and penile ultrasound. The guideline also addresses key issues relating to documentation, quality control and improvement, safety, infection control and patient education.

In addition, the two organizations developed Training Guidelines for urologists who perform ultrasound. Both documents were integral pieces to the development of urologic ultrasound practice accreditation.