ACC Sonography Programs Overview Study Notes

ACC Sonography Programs Overview

Introduction

  • Overview of Presentation: Discusses curriculum development, information, and the didactic (theory) and clinical education portions of the ACC sonography programs.

Resources for Curriculum Development

  • Key Documents: Several critical resources shape the ACC sonography programs:

    • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP): Sets the standards for accreditation of educational programs in diagnostic medical sonography.

    • Sonography National Education Curriculum (NEC): A national curriculum guide developed by consensus among 18 professional organizations.

    • American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS): Provides content outlines for credentialing in various sonographic specialties.

    • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): Includes guidelines in the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM).

  • Presentation Goal: Detailed discussion of the above resources and their impact on program development.

CAAHEP Standards

  • Living Document: CAAHEP standards are continually updated to reflect advancements in medical sonography (last revised in 2020).

  • Learning Concentrations Addressed:

    • Abdominal sonography extended

    • Obstetrics and gynecology sonography

    • Adult cardiac sonography

    • Vascular sonography

  • ACC Programs

    • DMS Program: Abdominal and obstetrics/gynecology sonography

    • DCS Program: Adult cardiac sonography

    • Vascular technology certificate program

  • Learning Concentrations Not Offered by ACC: Breast sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, and pediatric cardiac sonography due to lack of clinical affiliates.

  • Credentialing Path: Sonographers may become ARDMS-certified without completing a full CAAHEP-accredited program in specialties that ACC does not offer.

  • Key Standards from CAAHEP Appendix B:

    • General education curriculum

    • Learning competencies for each concentration:

    1. Abdominal sonography extended

    2. Adult cardiac sonography

    3. Obstetrics and gynecology sonography

    4. Vascular sonography

  • Note: Not all standards listed apply to ACC programs.

General Education Curriculum Requirements

  • Foundational Courses: Essential topics required at the post-secondary level include:

    • Communication: Covers effective interpersonal skills (ACC Course: Speech 1318)

    • Human Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding of human systems (ACC Courses: Biology 2401, 2402)

    • Mathematics: Quantitative skills (ACC Course: Math 1314)

    • Physics: Understanding fundamental scientific principles (ACC Course: Physics 1410)

National Education Curriculum (NEC)

  • Development of NEC: Formulated through collaborative national consensus involving professional organizations.

  • Consensus Approach: Designed to guide the development of educational programs, it's vital for the educational community.

  • Common Curriculum Components:

    • Anatomy and physiology

    • Pathophysiology

    • Mathematics

    • Physics

    • Communications

    • Psychology and human behavior

    • Statistics

    • Information technology

    • Medical ethics and law

    • Patient care

    • Sonographic physics and instrumentation

    • Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD)

  • Specialty Curriculum Components:

    • Includes specific areas: abdomen and superficial structures, obstetric and gynecological sonography, cardiac, and vascular sonography.

Course Outlines and Examples

  • NEC Outlines: Detailed outlines can be used collectively or independently, focusing on both common and specialty curricula.

  • Examples of Topics: Understanding anatomy and physiology of the heart, including thorough expectations for assessment and details within the topic, such as:

    1. Anatomy and functions of the heart

    2. Blood flow through coronary arteries

    3. Cardiac conduction system anatomy

    4. Anatomy of heart layers (pericardium, myocardium, endocardium)

  • Performance of Echocardiograms: Emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of cardiac anatomy.

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)

  • Overview: ARDMS administers examinations and credentials sonographers in ultrasound. Focuses on providing exceptional patient care.

  • Credentialing Body: Serves as a national repository but does not function as a national licensing body.

  • Content Outlines Overview: Percentage distributions for major domains assessed in exams:

    • Clinical safety and patient care

    • Doppler imaging concepts

    • Imaging principles and instrumentation

    • Physical principles

    • Ultrasound transducers

  • Sample Domain Breakdown for SPI Exam:

    • Clinical safety, patient care, quality assurance: 10%

    • Physical principles: 15%

    • Ultrasound transducers: 16%

    • Instrumentation: 28%

    • Doppler imaging concepts: 31%

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

  • Function: Establishes course requirements for all sonography programs inTexas (all state-supported colleges must comply).

  • Program Design: Programs tailored to meet clinical needs and CAAHEP accreditation standards.

  • Credit Hour Policies: 65 credit hours maximum for Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree; ACC sonography programs can total 84 credit hours (including Advanced Technical Certificate).

  • Program Duration: Maximum of seven semesters for the overall program, including prerequisites.

ACC Curriculum and Accreditation

  • History of Accreditation: ACC has been CAAHEP accredited since 1991 with a consistent 97-100% pass rate on ARDMS exams.

  • Current Offerings: Students currently complete AAS in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography or Diagnostic Medical Sonography in conjunction with an Advanced Technical Certificate.

  • Curriculum Evolution: Continuous updates to meet employer needs and educational standards.

Student Information Resources

  • Sonography Program Website: Critical resource for potential applicants. Contains application procedures and important details for students.

  • Student Handbook: Updated yearly and includes policies, student responsibilities, program information, grading scale, requirements, etc.

  • Major Sections: Current and prospective student sections outline necessary information about patient care education, attendance, dress code, and program policies.

Technical Standards and Essential Functions

  • Demands of the Profession: Sonography is more demanding mentally, emotionally, and physically than many health science professions.

  • Technical Standards Document: Issued for all ACC health sciences programs, detailing essential functions required.

Learning Process in Sonography

  • Assessment Overview: Implement assessments such as LASI and Life 101 to help students learn about their own learning processes.

  • Domains of Learning: Psychomotor, cognitive, and behavioral learning processes emphasized.

Policy and Procedure Highlights

  • Health Science Program Requirements: Expectations differ between health science and academic courses, focusing on clinical performance and accountability.

  • Ethical Standards and Clinical Conduct: Enforced rules on device usage, dress code, attendance, and other policies outlined in the student handbook.

  • Professional Behavior: Clinical performance guidelines are critical, with policies governing student responsibilities detailed.

  • Health and Safety Policies: Include health insurance, vaccination requirements, confidentiality regulations such as HIPAA, and substance abuse policies.

Conclusion

  • Review of Policies: Students are urged to familiarize themselves with all aspects of the sonography program handbook to effectively navigate the requirements and standards of the program.