Objective:

To investigate the basic situation of ultrasounic medicine in governmental hospitals at all levels in Shanghai.

Methods:

From Nov. 2014 to Feb. 2015

Shanghai Ultrasound Quality Control Center issued a questionnaire to the departments that were equipped with medical ultrasonic equipment in governmental hospitals in Shanghai. The survey included three parts: the equipment

the professional staff and the workload of the past three years.

Results:

A total of 419 questionnaires from these hospitals were received

including 42 hospitals in level-three

79 in level-two and 298 in level-one. The average numbers of ultrasonic instruments in these hospitals were 17 in level-three

5 in level-two and 2 i

n level-one. More than 80% of the instruments were imported ones. The average numbers of professional staff were 19 in level-three

7 in level-two and 2 in level-one. The ratio of staff and instrument in each hospital was 1.0:1-1.3:1. The workload has increased year by year in all levels of hospitals from 2011 to 2013.

Conclusion:

At present

the performance of the ultrasonic instruments in governmental hospitals in Shanghai can meet the needs of clinical work

and the shortage of professional staff is a prominent problem. With the increase of workload

this contradiction will become more and more obvious.