Continuing Promise Doctors Hold Ultrasound Exchange with Kingston Staff

By Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson USAF, Continuing Promise 2011 Public Affairs

KINGSTON, Jamaica (NNS) -- Medical personnel embarked aboard Military Sealift Command USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) facilitated a subject matter expert exchange with Jamaican medical personnel from the Kingston Public Hospital in support of Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11), April 18.

During the exchange, the group focused on different ways to get the most effective and efficient use out of ultrasound machines. They also practiced identifying various probes, proper probe positions and how to identify fluid within the body.

"This training will basically help others realize that ultrasound machines are really versatile," said Lt. Kylie Wainer, emergency medicine physician from Trego, Wis.

During the class, Wainer covered the four different types of probes, their use, their placement and how to adjust each machine to display the desired image based on location.

Wainer said ultrasound machines save time, money and radiation exposure, coupled with providing patient convenience.

"It is so much easier to determine if there is fluid where there shouldn't be if you use the machine," said Wainer. "You don't have to send down the request, wait for confirmation, send the patient down and wait for three hours to get the results."

According to Wainer, ultrasound machines provide immediate sight into the body cavity and they take less than three minutes to perform. She also said ultrasounds are also non-invasive, versatile, portable and produce no radiation.

"Familiarization is key," said Wainer. "Once you get that down, everything will be so much easier.

Many of the participants expressed their feelings about the training after completing the hands-on portion.

"This training has opened my eyes to ultrasounds," said Karen Foster, registered nurse and midwife from Kingston, Jamaica. "Now, when a doctor tells me to send the patient to radiology, I will encourage them to use the machine first."

COMUSANAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT support U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined full-spectrum military operations. The units provide principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space to enhance regional security and to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Carribean, Central and South American regions.