Professional | Communication and clinical impact (cont.)
Tracks
Rm 2 | Recorded Only
Prof Topics
| Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM |
| Rm 2 | First Floor |
Speaker
Mr Martin Necas
Clinical Specialist Sonographer
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato
Complaints against New Zealand sonographers: What a review of 3 decades of complaints can teach us
1:30 PM - 1:40 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Introduction: The New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) is tasked with promoting and protecting the rights of people who use health services and with investigating consumer complaints. The complaints are anonymised and published as a public resource. The purpose of this review was to analyse all cases of complaints involving sonographers.
Methods: All cases of complaints involving sonographers since the establishment of the HDC service 31 years ago were reviewed.
Results: As of 30 September 2025, 53 published cases contained the term “sonographer” but the sonographer played a key role in only 16 cases. Of these, the sonographer was culpable in 10 cases. The majority of cases (69%) involved sonographers working in the private sector. Nine out of the 10 cases involved obstetric ultrasound. Seven cases centered on the sonographer performing a suboptimal examination that did not adhere to accepted guidelines. Sonographer responses to complaints were characterised by acceptance of responsibility, sadness, regret and apology in all but one case. Overall, HDC investigations involving sonographers were extremely rare given the high volume of examinations sonographers perform.
Conclusion: In clinical settings where sonographers and radiologists work collaboratively and radiologists are reporting on the work performed by the sonographer, both the radiologist and the sonographer share collective responsibility for the final report. There was no single case involving an independently reporting sonographer. This presentation will provide important insights into complaints against sonographers and highlight a number of practice points that may help sonographers minimise adverse patient outcomes and complaints.
Methods: All cases of complaints involving sonographers since the establishment of the HDC service 31 years ago were reviewed.
Results: As of 30 September 2025, 53 published cases contained the term “sonographer” but the sonographer played a key role in only 16 cases. Of these, the sonographer was culpable in 10 cases. The majority of cases (69%) involved sonographers working in the private sector. Nine out of the 10 cases involved obstetric ultrasound. Seven cases centered on the sonographer performing a suboptimal examination that did not adhere to accepted guidelines. Sonographer responses to complaints were characterised by acceptance of responsibility, sadness, regret and apology in all but one case. Overall, HDC investigations involving sonographers were extremely rare given the high volume of examinations sonographers perform.
Conclusion: In clinical settings where sonographers and radiologists work collaboratively and radiologists are reporting on the work performed by the sonographer, both the radiologist and the sonographer share collective responsibility for the final report. There was no single case involving an independently reporting sonographer. This presentation will provide important insights into complaints against sonographers and highlight a number of practice points that may help sonographers minimise adverse patient outcomes and complaints.
Biography
Mr Martin Necas |
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Waikato
Martin is a specialist sonographer and a clinical tutor of ultrasound imaging. He is an author or co-author of 30 peer reviewed papers and clinical guidelines, 270 conference presentations or workshops and a textbook on artifacts in diagnostic ultrasound. Martin is a strong advocate for efficient, evidence-based and clinically targeted utilisation of ultrasound and independent specialist sonographer practice.
Miss Hayley Lennon
Tutor Songrapher
Sovereign Radiology
Global sonography initiatives: Volunteering and outreach programs **NEW VOICE**
1:40 PM - 2:00 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
This presentation explores the transformative impact of volunteer sonographer-led initiatives, drawing on real-world experience with Everymum.org in rural Cambodia. Discover how collaborative ultrasound training empowers local midwives to make life-saving decisions in resource-limited settings where access to imaging can mean the difference between early intervention and tragedy.
Discover a sustainable capacity-building model that combines face-to-face training, online mentoring, quality auditing, and live-streamed webinars to build confidence alongside clinical skills. Over six years, multiple Australian sonographers have contributed expertise to establish ultrasound services across rural health centres in four provinces.
Hear insights from the frontlines: challenges, solutions, and the remarkable outcomes achieved when dedicated sonographers bridge the gap in maternal health accessibility. This session inspires and equips sonographers to make meaningful contributions to global health initiatives.
Discover a sustainable capacity-building model that combines face-to-face training, online mentoring, quality auditing, and live-streamed webinars to build confidence alongside clinical skills. Over six years, multiple Australian sonographers have contributed expertise to establish ultrasound services across rural health centres in four provinces.
Hear insights from the frontlines: challenges, solutions, and the remarkable outcomes achieved when dedicated sonographers bridge the gap in maternal health accessibility. This session inspires and equips sonographers to make meaningful contributions to global health initiatives.
Biography
Miss Hayley Lennon |
Sovereign Radiology
As a dedicated tutor sonographer, Hayley brings her passion and knowledge in general sonography to her everyday scanning and the students she works with. She has a special interest in advancing prenatal imaging techniques and women's health diagnostics, combining technical expertise with a compassionate approach to patient care.
Hayley is also an enthusiastic traveller who enjoys volunteering with EveryMum and regularly travels to Cambodia to teach ultrasound to midwives in provincial health centres.
Ms Julie Archbold
Sonographer
AHC
Patient communication from a clinical perspective
2:00 PM - 2:20 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
This presentation will discuss practical tips to create an open and collaborative interaction with patients and suggest ways that we can improve the human side of ultrasound with communication that makes a difference. Aimed at all sonographers wanting to increase their knowledge of the patient perspective and how communication during an exam can create a high level of satisfaction for both patients and sonographers.
Biography
Ms Julie Archbold |
Australian Healthcare Consulting and Vision Radiology.
Julie Archbold is a General Sonographer working at Australian Healthcare Consulting and Vision Radiology in Victoria. With over 25 years of clinical experience, Julie has been involved in all areas of ultrasound education, including training of post graduate students, ultrasound undergraduate lectures at Monash University, mentorship and support of clinical supervisors and tutors. As National Ultrasound Leader, Julie was responsible for oversight of ultrasound training nationally for the Capitol Health network in 2023-2025. Completing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in 2017, Julie has a keen interest in the support and training of clinical supervisors and training program accountability and is passionate about supporting training processes for the next generation of sonographers as well as new graduates. Julie was the recipient of the Sonographer of the Year – Victoria award in 2019 and is a member of the ASA Board of Directors.
