Venous Ultrasound Exams

The forms that surround a venous ultrasound

A venous ultrasound comes with an order, a prep sheet and a consent form, and each states the purpose of the scan in its own words. my.clevelandclinic.org states it this way: An upper or lower venous extremity ultrasound is done to find out if a patient has a blood clot in their legs or arms.

Hold your order next to that sentence. If the order names a different purpose, or none, that mismatch is the first question. For background that sits outside any single clinic's forms, there is a clinic guide to deep vein thrombosis and a radiology society page on varicose veins and venous insufficiency.

Ultrasound questions and the clause each one turns on

Locate the matching line on your prep sheet or consent form first.

• Is pressure from the venous ultrasound probe normal? Find any line on discomfort during the scan and the name of the person you are told to tell.
• How does a venous ultrasound create images? Check that the sheet's description of the method matches the scan on your order.
• How much time does a venous ultrasound take? Look for a stated length and whether it counts check-in, one leg or both.
• When are venous ultrasound results ready? Find the result timeline and the name or role of whoever delivers it.
• Who performs and reads a venous ultrasound? Check whether the form names who runs the scan, who reads it and whether they are the same person.
• Does a venous ultrasound use radiation? Find the sentence on radiation and read exactly what it says is and is not involved.
• Can I eat before a leg venous ultrasound? Look in the prep instructions for a food line and a medication line, and note whether they differ.
• What happens during a venous ultrasound exam? Find the step list, including positioning, and any line mentioning an injection or dye.
• Can a venous ultrasound check both legs at once? Find the side on the order, whether "left," "right" or "bilateral," and confirm it matches the leg you mean.

Lines on a scan form worth a second read

A prep sheet or consent form can carry sentences that look fixed. "Results will be available shortly" says nothing about when. "A qualified professional will perform the exam" does not name one. "Findings will be discussed with you" leaves out who, and in what setting. Ask the scheduling desk to put the missing name or date in writing before the appointment.

Readers in Oak Lawn and the wider Chicago area can use the same checklist with any imaging provider. This desk reads wording only and does not interpret scans.