How Improving the Ultrasound Experience Boosts Patient Satisfaction—and Profit Margins

Why Patient Satisfaction Matters More Than Ever

In today’s healthcare economy, patient satisfaction is directly linked to financial performance. Hospitals and private practices that deliver a superior patient experience consistently see higher profit margins, increased patient loyalty, and stronger word-of-mouth referrals.

According to data from Accenture and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), hospitals rated highest by patients (9 or 10 on the HCAHPS survey) achieve 50% higher profit margins compared to average performers.

And the impact is measurable: Every 10-point increase in HCAHPS score is associated with margin increases of up to +3.5%, depending on ownership model, region, and academic status.

Why the Ultrasound Experience Is a Critical Touchpoint

For many patients — especially expecting parents — ultrasound is one of the most emotional moments of their care journey. It’s often the first time they “see” their baby, and it plays a significant role in shaping their overall experience with a practice.

Despite advancements in OB ultrasound imaging and technology, most patients still leave with only a thermal printout or nothing at all. This outdated workflow fails to meet the expectations of today’s digital-first families.

How Modern Ultrasound Image Sharing Impacts Satisfaction

At Sona, we believe ultrasound providers have a unique opportunity to drive higher satisfaction — and stronger financial outcomes — by simply modernizing the way patients receive their images.

Sona enables sonographers to securely send selected ultrasound images and videos directly from the machine to the patient’s mobile app, without requiring EMR integration or disrupting workflow. It’s free, HIPAA-compliant, easy to implement, and designed specifically for OB/GYN practices and ultrasound offices.

Benefits for providers:

• Higher patient satisfaction scores

• Improved retention and loyalty, especially for first-time moms

• Positive word-of-mouth that fuels organic growth

• Stronger margins without changing your clinical workflow

A Strategic Move for Your Bottom Line

Whether you're an independent OB/GYN practice, a hospital-based ultrasound provider, or part of a larger health system, enhancing patient satisfaction is no longer just a “nice to have.” It’s a strategic advantage.

And for something as emotionally charged and memorable as ultrasound, small changes — like instant digital sharing — can make a big difference.

Ready to elevate your ultrasound experience and boost patient satisfaction? Start here and have Sona in your office and on your machines in less than 10 minutes.

*Source: Chart adapted by Sona using publicly available data from Accenture analysis and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) HCAHPS Hospital Survey. All original research and data belong to their respective sources.