New Vascular Standards from Ontario Health

Please note: We’re sharing this information with our Sonography Canada members in Ontario on behalf of Ontario Health, as it relates to vascular ultrasound services in the province. This is being provided for informational purposes only.

**Sent on behalf of Dr. Varun Kapila, Provincial Clinical Lead, Vascular, Ontario Health, and Dr. Julian Dobranowski, Provincial Head, Medical Imaging, Ontario Health** 

Dear colleagues,

Ontario Health is excited to introduce a new initiative to standardize VUS care for patients in Ontario.

Background
Vascular patients with limb- and/or life-threatening disease often require vascular ultrasound (VUS) for screening, diagnosis, and surveillance. Over 2.2 million VUSs were performed in both hospital and community facilities throughout Ontario in fiscal year 2023/24, with billing costs of over $113 million.  Anecdotally, however, often exams are repeated, resulting in unnecessary health care expense and potential harm to patients.

Common Core Standards for Vascular Ultrasound in Ontario
The Common Core Standards for Vascular Ultrasound in Ontario (VUS Standards),  developed by Ontario Health, reflect the expertise and consensus of a Working Group of diagnostic radiologists, sonographers, vascular interventional radiologists, and vascular surgeons from across the province.  The VUS Standards align with clinical best practice and describe the common core protocols and requirements for VUS examination and reporting for the five most common VUS exams.  The aim is to standardize the minimum quantity and quality of diagnostic information that is required from a VUS examination, ensuring a minimum benchmark is met across Ontario.  
 
This initiative, led by Dr. Narinder Paul (Chair, Medical Imaging, Western and Department Head, Medical Imaging, London Health Sciences Centre and St Joseph’s Hospital, London) and Dr. Andrew Dueck (Head, Division of Vascular Surgery, Schulich Heart Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Assistant Professor, University of Toronto), is being conducted with oversight from Ontario Health’s Vascular Program in collaboration with Ontario Health’s Medical Imaging and PET Clinical Programs.
  
Next Steps
The VUS Standards are due for release on May 1, 2025. Ontario Health will host a provincial webinar on May 22, 2025, from 12 to 1pm to provide an overview of the VUS Standards and to discuss strategies for adoption. A webinar registration link will be shared with release of the VUS Standards.

If you have any questions in advance of the release, please feel welcome to connect with us by email through the Ontario Health CorHealth Service Desk at OH-CORH_Service@ontariohealth.ca.
 
We look forward to the ongoing collaboration with VUS partners across the health care system to support access to timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate VUS examinations for all Ontarians.
 
Sincerely,

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