Thursday 02 May 2024
Internal Reference Number: FOI_6939
Date Request Received: 03/01/2023 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 09/01/2023 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: transvaginal ultrasounds
Request Category: Media
| Question Number 1: For what symptoms would a transvaginal ultrasound be indicated? | |
| Answer To Question 1: The following list of symptoms: • Very heavy vaginal bleeding with anaemia (Hb less than 90) • PMB • Raised CA125 (above 35iu/ml), • Pelvic mass • Check location of IUD or IUS • Menorrhagia,/ PCB/ IMB • Pelvic pain and bloating • Dysmennorhoea/Amenorrhoea • Dyspareunia • Oligomenorrhoea • PCO • Dysfunctional uterine bleed • Fibroids • Endometriosis • Adenomyosis • Previous surgery • Infertility • Follow up of previously reported pelvic abnormality | |
| Question Number 2: Are there any groups of people a transvaginal ultrasound would not be carried out on? If so, why would they not be indicated? | |
| Answer To Question 2: Patients who are Virgo intacta with no history of other internal clinic examination, some bedbound immobile patients and patients without capacity to provide informed consent. | |
| Question Number 3: Does trust policy indicate that it is allowed to carry out transvaginal ultrasounds on those who have never been sexually active before? If it is not allowed, what is the reasoning behind no sexual contact being a contraindication for these scans? | |
| Answer To Question 3: We do not carry out transvaginal ultrasound examinations on patients who have not had penetrative sex or a previous internal clinical examination by a clinician. Following guidance from Radiologists and Gynaecologists within the Wessex Region. | |
| Question Number 4: If transvaginal ultrasounds are not allowed in your trust for the 'sexually inactive', what is the justification for this going against the British Medical Ultrasound Society’s guidelines, which state: “The concept of virginity plays no part in the clinical decision making for a TVUS” and “if a patient has not had penetrative sex, they are still entitled to be offered, and to accept, a TVUS [transvaginal ultrasound] in the same way that cervical screening is offered to all eligible patients"? | |
| Answer To Question 4: The Trust follows the Wessex Regional Ultrasound Guidelines which have been implemented in many NHS Trusts, following consultation with Radiologists and Gynaecologists within this region; however, individual circumstances are taken into account and a transvaginal ultrasound may be attempted following consultation with the Consultant Gynaecologist and Radiologist teams. | |
| Question Number 5: What does the Trust define as ‘sexual activity’? | |
| Answer To Question 5: Penetrative intercourse. | |
| Question Number 6: Which members of staff in your trust perform transvaginal ultrasounds? | |
| Answer To Question 6: Sonographers, Senior Gynaecology Nurses, Radiologists and Gynaecologists. | |
| Question Number 7: Have all of those staff members received diversity and inclusion training regarding their patient-facing roles? If so, please detail the nature of the course or programme and number of hours completed. | |
| Answer To Question 7: Yes as part of mandatory training, online course via the LEARN MLE programme. Approximate time of 1 hour. | |
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Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
