Posted on 12/01/2005 5:59:43 AM PST by Qwertrew
Tom Cruise hasn't made many friends within the medical community lately.
First the American Psychiatric Association slammed the actor for referring to psychiatry as a "pseudoscience," calling Cruise's remarks "irresponsible." Now the American College of Radiology is up in arms over Cruise's admission that he purchased a sonogram machine and uses it to perform at-home ultrasounds on fiancee Katie Holmes.
The ACR issued a statement warning that Cruise and Holmes could potentially harm their unborn baby by performing ultrasounds without the benefit of a doctor's supervision
"This is a patient safety issue. Untrained people, even if they have the financial means, should not buy, or be allowed to buy and operate, ultrasound machines which are, in fact, medical devices and should not be used without a medical indication," said Dr. Carol M. Rumack, chair of the ACR Ultrasound Commission.
Cruise gushed about his purchase to Barbara Walters during an interview for her special Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005, which aired Tuesday.
"I bought a sonogram machine," Cruise told Walters during the interview, which was taped Oct. 30. "I am going to donate it to a hospital when we are done."
Somewhat startled, Walters replied, "Wait, you are going to do your own sonogram?"
"Yes," Cruise replied, chuckling.
The couch-jumping thesp told Walters that he did not know the sex of his offspring, but that he saw "a little baby" when he performed the ultrasound.
Cruise's purchase is estimated to have set him back anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000. However, the ACR is not convinced that the War of the Worlds star fully understands the complexities of the device.
"The ACR is concerned that Tom Cruise has been badly advised regarding the use and potential abuse of ultrasound," Dr. Rumack stated. "There are many abnormalities that may be missed by the untrained eye. Also, if it is not medically necessary, the use of ultrasound raises unnecessary physical risk to the fetus."
The ACR isn't the only organization concerned about Cruise's personal sonogram machine. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the actor may even be violating the law by possessing the device.
"Persons who promote, sell or lease ultrasound equipment for making 'keepsake' fetal videos should know that FDA views this as an unapproved use of a medical device," the FDA stated. "In addition, those who subject individuals to ultrasound exposure using a diagnostic ultrasound device (a prescription device) without a physician's order may be in violation of state or local laws or regulations regarding use of a prescription medical device."
Cruise's representatives did not respond to requests for comment on the sonogram issue.
Meanwhile, Cruise and Holmes have been taking a break from their at-home ultrasound project while spending time in Shanghai, where Cruise has been filming scenes for Mission: Impossible 3.
At a press roundup Wednesday, Cruise grabbed a cell phone from a reporter who dared to take a call during the event and began chatting to the surprised party at the other end.
"Put her on the phone. I want to talk to her," Cruise demanded, asking to talk to the female caller, whom he presumed to be the reporter's girlfriend.
"Hello. Xiexie. Ni hao. Are you good?" said Cruise, throwing out the Chinese words for "thank you" and "hello" like a natural.
"Are you good? Are you working?" he asked. "Are you going to get engaged? Soon? Maybe?"
After a translator stepped in to assist, it was revealed that the caller was actually the reporter's wife.
"Tell her I wish her happiness," Cruise said.
On the subject of his own wedding, Cruise remained teasingly elusive.
"You want to know where we're gonna get married? The exact date? The exact place? The color dress, designer?" he quizzed reporters. "You know, we haven't set a date...It will happen next year."
ROFL!!!
This is an excerpt from an article written by Carol Rados writing for the FDA
Ultrasonic fetal scanning, from a medical standpoint, generally is considered safe if properly used when information is needed about a pregnancy. Still, ultrasound is a form of energy, and even at low levels, laboratory studies have shown it can produce physical effects in tissue, such as jarring vibrations and a rise in temperature. Although there is no evidence that these physical effects can harm a fetus, the FDA says the fact that these effects exist means that prenatal ultrasounds can't be considered completely innocuous.
ping
Thanks. Just doing my part to bring the "religion of peace" in line with animal cruelty laws. PETA would be proud. ;-)
Damn right, especially if it could be harmful to the developing fetus. These machines weren't made to be sold to the general public. I,along with thousands of others in the medical field are trained for years to use this equipment. Sonographers now must be trained and board certified.
What's Tom gonna do when his baby may be born deaf?
I don't have the freedom to buy whatever i want
"believe the general public's understanding is that ultrasound technology is perfectly safe and that there are no harmful effects. Has this doc in his haste to condemn Cruise inadvertently let slip something?"
This is public knowledge. The doctors told us as well.
As I understand it, the concern is over people who use the devices to make movies, and expose the baby to ultra sound for 30-40 minutes at a time.
It's the differnece between hearing a loud noise and going to a rock concert.
" These machines are NOT to be used by someone not trained in their use, because they can cause substantial physical harm if not used properly. "
Cruise is not a qualified sono tech nor is he a radiologist.
It is unclear whether he even graduated from high school.
Most sono techs are radiology techs first-2 years of training, including math, biology, anatomy and physics. Ultrasound technicians have an additional 1 year training in sonography.
Many technicians have an Associates or a BS degree in their field.
The technicians do the procedure and the radiologist or OB interprets the scan.
Cruise has apparently been spending way too much time at his local Holiday Inn Express .
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