Joint Aspirations and Biopsies

Just wanted to clarify and update information for Joint Aspirations referred by Specialists (in particular from Central West Orthopaedics).

If a request for a knee, wrist or any joint aspiration to be performed then staff can book these directly into an MSK purple spot but extend the time from 15 to 30mins. You DON’T need to have these checked with the Sonographers.

Also to clear up any questions regarding having biopsy referrals checked, these are checked by the Senior Sonographers in the 1^st Instance.  Should they need further clarification they may check directly with our Radiologist i.e. Dr Kariappa, or ask you to check with the Radiologist. This is the workflow.

Biopsy or aspiration of regions other than joint e.g. FNA referrals can be for thyroid, breast/s, lungs, liver etc.  All these referrals are to be screened by the Senior Sonographers in the first instance. There are biopsy spots reserved in the scheduler (blue and pale pink) and once confirmation is received from the Senior Sonographer then a booking can be made in one of these spots. Some biopsies are for multiple nodules or areas and the Sonographer will advise if a 30min or 1hr spot is required for the booking.