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Getting Consent Right in Sonography

Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Getting Consent Right in Sonography

In the latest ASA Podcast episode, “Consent and minimising litigation”, listeners are invited into a critical conversation that goes to the heart of sonography practice—how we obtain, document, and honour patient consent. 

Host Paula Kinnane is joined by leading health law experts Marie-Clare Elder and Marie Panuccio from Sparke Helmore Lawyers. Together, they unpack the legal, ethical and practical dimensions of consent, drawing on decades of experience defending health professionals in complex medicolegal cases. 

With the release of ASA’s recent Consent for Medical Ultrasound Examinations and Consent and Chaperones for Intimate Medical Ultrasound Examinations guides, this episode provides timely insights into how sonographers can protect themselves while placing patient care and autonomy at the centre of their practice. 

“Consent is a fundamental aspect of medical practice, especially for intimate examinations, and that is because they are sensitive and potentially distressing for patients.” – Marie Panuccio

The episode explores real-world scenarios, including how to manage consent with minors, the value (and limitations) of chaperones, and what to do when your ‘spidey senses’ are telling you something isn’t right. 

“From an insurance and legal perspective, written consent provides you with a tangible and contemporaneous record of the procedure and the agreement to it.” – Marie Panuccio

Listeners will also gain a clear understanding of: 

  • When verbal vs written consent is appropriate, and how to document both 

  • The importance of properly trained chaperones - and the risk of relying on untrained staff 

  • What to do when a patient withdraws consent mid-procedure 

  • How to manage discrepancies between workplace policies and professional guidelines 

  • The growing legal risks in sonography—and how to ensure you're covered 

“If I had a dollar for every time a client said, ‘I just had a bad feeling,’ or ‘there was something about the patient that wasn't right,’ and sure enough, here we are defending a claim, I must say to you—I would advise you, it's not legal advice, it's general advice—to stop.” – Marie-Clare Elder

This is essential listening for all sonographers, particularly those working in high-pressure or intimate care settings. The episode offers not only legal clarity but practical, confidence-building strategies for everyday practice. 

Listen now

Further reading: 

Guide to consent for medical ultrasound examinations

Guide to consent and chaperones for intimate medical ultrasound examinations   

Reducing the risk of litigation: Information for sonographers    

CPD

OLM Sonographer guide to consent and use of chaperones 

OLM Chaperone course: Intimate medical ultrasound examinations 

Read more about ASA Insurance Policy here