Daniel Dwain M, Rupert Ronald L
Research Institute, Parker College of Chiropractic, 2500 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, USA.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Mar-Apr;26(3):171-5. doi: 10.1016/S0161-4754(02)54130-0.
Ultrasound therapy is a commonly used therapeutic modality within the chiropractic profession. Previous calibration studies of ultrasound units within the physical therapy communities in Scotland and Canada have shown that approximately two thirds of units tested did not conform to minimum calibration standards. Similar failure rates may exist in the chiropractic profession and need to be addressed.
To determine whether ultrasound machines used by chiropractic physicians met established calibration and electrical safety standards, and to assess frequency of ultrasound therapy use.
This cross-sectional study tested 45 ultrasound units for ultrasonic output and electrical safety. Additionally, we asked the doctors to complete a short survey relating to education, usage, and maintenance of their ultrasound equipment.
Of the 45 machines tested, 44% failed either calibration or electrical safety inspection. Failure rate was age dependent (P < or =.05). Only 2 of the 45 machines tested had been safety checked within the last year.
A large percentage of ultrasound machines in chiropractic physicians' offices deliver too much or too little dosage to the patient. Electrical safety inspections also revealed a significant failure rate. Chiropractic physicians must become more aware of the requirement for yearly calibration and safety inspections, and understand that failure to maintain their equipment could result in loss of therapeutic effectiveness and pose a threat to the safety of their patients and staff.
超声疗法是脊椎按摩治疗行业常用的治疗方式。此前在苏格兰和加拿大物理治疗领域对超声设备进行的校准研究表明，约三分之二被测试的设备不符合最低校准标准。脊椎按摩治疗行业可能也存在类似的故障率，需要加以解决。
确定脊椎按摩治疗师使用的超声设备是否符合既定的校准和电气安全标准，并评估超声治疗的使用频率。
这项横断面研究对45台超声设备进行了超声输出和电气安全测试。此外，我们要求医生完成一份关于其超声设备的教育、使用和维护的简短调查问卷。
在测试的45台设备中，44%的设备在校准或电气安全检查中不合格。故障率与设备使用年限有关（P≤0.05）。在测试的45台设备中，只有2台在过去一年中接受过安全检查。
脊椎按摩治疗师办公室中很大一部分超声设备向患者提供的剂量过多或过少。电气安全检查也显示出相当高的故障率。脊椎按摩治疗师必须更加清楚每年校准和安全检查的要求，并明白不维护设备可能会导致治疗效果丧失，并对患者和工作人员的安全构成威胁。
