Learn how to use ultrasound to safely guide nerve blocks for common orthopaedic surgical procedures. Evaluate the cardiac anatomy prior to emergency surgery.
Objectives
On completion of this two-day clinically focused ultrasound program, learners will:
- Use ultrasound system controls to optimise imaging for accurate diagnosis
- Develop proficiency in probe manipulation techniques for the location of nerves in the neck, torso arms and legs
- Assess cardiac anatomy prior to emergency surgery
- Identify normal landmarks for guiding regional anaesthesia for brachial plexus, femoral, sciatic, and TAP blocks
- Demonstrate ultrasound guided needle placement in- plane and out of plane for nerve block injections as practiced on ultrasound simulators
- Describe the optimum patient positioning and needle approach for common injections
CME recognition

Features
-
Modules (total)
6
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Skill level
All
-
Duration (days)
2
-
Lectures (hours)
2.25
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Scan time (hours)
10.0
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Clinician
Yes
-
Zedu redo
Yes
Class times
Day 1: 0830 – 1700
Day 2: 0900 – 1700
Modules
Image optimisation – interactive practical session
- Explore system controls
- Understand the impact of optimisation on the image
- Presets, frequency, depth, focus and gain
- How to label the image
- How to store and review images
Probe Manipulation
- Probe care
- Probe moves
- Probe grip
- Probe and screen orientation
- 3D awareness of the anatomical position of the organs
Basic Echo in Life Support
- anatomy of the heart in 3D – an interactive practical
- the 4 basic sonographic views of the heart
- LV and RV function
- Tamponade and PE
- Sepsis and hypovolaemia
- Volume status
- Limitations and pitfalls
- Techniques to improve imaging
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
Procedural Guidance
- Principles of needle guidance
- Terminology – In-plane, out-of-plane, LAX and SAX
- Techniques to improve imaging
- limitations and pitfalls
- sonographic anatomy of common injection sites
- patient positioning
- needle approach
- equipment preparation
- ergonomics of safe procedures
- Clinical utility and applications
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
Identify the anatomy and needle approach on real people
Stick needles into a wide variety ultrasound phantoms for procedural practice (we want our patients to come back 🙂 )
Upper Limb Blocks
- scan technique for brachial plexus blocks
- normal sonoanatomy of interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillary nerves
- recognise anisotropy
- limitations and pitfalls
- clinical utility and application
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
Lower Limb and Torso Blocks
- scan technique for femoral, sciatic and TAP blocks
- normal sonoanatomy of femoral, sciatic and intercostal nerves
- recognise anisotropy
- limitations and pitfalls
- clinical utility and application
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
CME details
ACRRM | Accreditation pending
ANZCA | Participants in the ANZCA CPD program can claim attendance under the Knowledge and Skills category ‘Learning sessions’ at 1 credit per hour for the lectures/presentations. Hands on workshops may be claimed under the Knowledge and skills category ‘Short format learning’ at 2 credits per hour.
CICM | This activity has CICM CPD Accreditation for Category 3B: Quality Assurance and Patient Safety Activities – 3 points per hour | 1A Passive Self Learning – one point per hour | 2A Passive Group Learning – one point per hour
RACGP | This education is a CPD accredited activity under the RACGP CPD program
Approved by ACRRM and RACGP for the Rural Procedural Grants Program – GPs can receive $2000 per day for a maximum of 10 days of training per financial year, GPs providing hospital based emergency services can receive up to three days of eligible training per financial year.
A great training course is only the beginning of your ultrasound learning journey
To help you master ultrasound and lasting change from training we engage you from the outset
Before your course:
There are pre course activities & access to preparatory learning resources to maximise your in-class experience
During your course:
- Short, sharp information sessions to provide foundational knowledge and clinical context
- Lots of hands-on practical sessions with real people to scan (including for TV and obstetric scans). Our standardised patients models vary in age, size, shape and mobility to make the transition to clinical reality easier.
- Case studies led by practising clinicians to demonstrate clinical utility
- A variety of different machines to learn on
- At the conclusion of your course we’ll lead you to create a skills development action plan, creating a pathway that you can use to apply your newly acquired skills, promote clinical integration and ultimately reach your final objective – ultrasound competency
After your course:
The learning continues
- We encourage self-directed learning in the workplace with structured active learning plans
- A great selection of free access online medical ultrasound (FoamUS) learning resources
- You can subscribe to the weekly wrap – a weekly curation of ultrasound related hot tips and journal articles
- Be a part of our community of clever – Join our peer support network with our monthly “Coaching Corner” sessions. Send in your questions, join the live online meeting and have your questions answered.
The Zedu Redo – our commitment to you
We encourage you to refresh your training with us by taking up the opportunity to return within 12 months and do a complimentary redo of this course at no cost (subject to availability)
More Ways Zedu Can support your ultrasound skills development:
- Image review – details here
- Follow-up coaching with our Zedu coaches
- Coaching corner – monthly webinar