SLUHN Enhances Ultrasound Imaging with Standardization Across 13 Hospitals
Bethlehem, Thursday, 17 April 2025.
St. Luke’s University Health Network improved ultrasound imaging consistency across 13 hospitals by using GE Healthcare’s technologies, enhancing efficiency, compliance, and patient care quality.
Network-Wide Implementation Challenge
St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) faced a significant operational challenge with its extensive ultrasound infrastructure, managing 49 ultrasound devices across 14 hospital sites and multiple outpatient facilities throughout eastern Pennsylvania [1]. The network’s primary concern was the lack of uniformity in scanning protocols among its 70 ultrasound technicians, which created inconsistencies in image capture sequences and complicated radiologists’ workflow [1].
Technological Solution
To address these standardization challenges while preserving sonographer autonomy, SLUHN implemented GE Healthcare’s Scan Assistant and Verisound Fleet technologies [1]. Lauren Fazzolari, SLUHN’s Ultrasound Clinical Specialist, acknowledged the delicate balance required, stating, ‘We are really proud of our abilities and how we scan—we don’t really like anybody telling us what to do’ [1]. The Scan Assistant system notably includes an innovative feature that incorporates anatomical images directly into procedural steps, as highlighted by Dr. Laurie Sebastiano, Section Chief of Ultrasound at SLUHN [1].
Operational Benefits and Efficiency Gains
The implementation has yielded multiple operational improvements across the network. The Verisound Fleet technology enables remote updates to scanning protocols, eliminating the need for on-site system configurations [1]. The standardization ensures consistent imaging protocols across all machines, allowing any sonographer to maintain uniform standards regardless of location. This standardization has particularly enhanced radiologists’ workflow efficiency, as studies now consistently present images in the same sequence [1].
Impact on Patient Care
The transformation has directly influenced patient care quality through improved diagnostic processes. Dr. Sebastiano emphasized this impact, noting, ‘If we can be more efficient in what we are doing, if we can provide a confident diagnosis, if we can be more accurate in our comparisons, I think that all trickles down to benefiting the patient’ [1]. The system has also strengthened compliance with ACR (American College of Radiology) audit requirements by ensuring consistent capture of required images and cine loops [1].