New international safety guidelines for diagnostic ultrasound have been published in the journal Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. The document represents the first time a single, harmonized global position has been established for recommended maximum exposure times during ultrasound examinations.
The recommendations focus on the displayed Thermal Index (TI), a measure related to tissue heating. By linking maximum exposure durations to specific TI values, the guidelines aim to help operators manage risk consistently across different countries and clinical settings.
According to the source, the guidelines were developed to bring together previously separate national standards. This harmonization is intended to simplify training and clinical decision-making while maintaining a consistent safety baseline for patients worldwide.