I am a former police officer and detective with the Veterans Administration Police in the USA. I have been collecting information in regards to the theft of medical equipment, for several years. If have spoken to law enforcement investigators here in the U.S., to give them an overview of the problem.

When it comes to stolen medical equipment ultrasound machines and their attached transducers or probes are one of the hottest items being stolen.

There have been a number of ultrasound machines and probes stolen in England. Also a scanner was stolen from a hospital in Nice, France a month or two ago. The British Ultrasound Society has listed information on several thefts in England on their website.

As a suggestion, the theft of this scanner should be reported to the manufacturer of the machine. There is a chance that the machine might be sold to another medical facility. If the system needs repairs then they might contact the manufacturer. They most likely would check their warranty database and find that it was stolen from another medical facility.

Patrick Kerrigan