Introductory Ultrasound for Emergency Medicine
Learn the fundamentals of point of care ultrasound essential for emergency clinicians. Diagnose critical conditions rapidly and guide common procedures for improved patient outcomes.
Objectives
On completion of this five day clinically focused ultrasound program, emergency physicians will:
- Use ultrasound system controls to optimise imaging for accurate diagnosis
- Develop proficiency in probe manipulation to efficiently acquire diagnostic images
- Describe the limitations and clinical integration of the following ultrasound examinations:
- eFAST
- AAA
- Lung
- Basic echo in life support
- RUSH
Use a systematic approach to conduct ultrasound assessment of
a) trauma
b) abdominal aortic aneurysms
c) shortness of breath
d) pericardial effusions, cardiac activity and global function
e) undifferentiated shock
Demonstrate ultrasound guided needle placement in- plane and out of plane for vascular access and procedural applications using ultrasound simulators
CME recognition
Features
- Modules (total) 8
- Skill level Novice
- Duration (days) 5
- Lectures (hours) 5
- Scan time (hours) 22
- Clinician Yes
- Zedu redo Yes
Class times
Day 1: 0830 – 1700
Day 2: 0900 – 1700
Day 3: 0900 – 1700
Day 4: 0900 – 1700
Day 5: 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
EFAST
- eFAST protocol
- scan technique
- the “views”
- recognise normal and abnormal imaging
- qualitative estimates of free fluid volume
- Techniques to improve imaging
- limitations and pitfalls
- clinical utility and application
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
AAA
- scanning technique
- sonographic anatomy
- how to measure a AAA
- recognise normal and abnormal imaging
- Techniques to improve imaging
- Diagnostic criteria
- limitations and pitfalls
- clinical utility and application
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
Lung
- the artifacts of lung ultrasound – A lines and B lines
- pneumothorax, absence of lung sliding, lung point
- pulmonary oedema
- pleural effusions
- pneumonia
- pulmonary consolidation and fibrosis
- breathless and febrile patient
- use of M-Mode
- lung ultrasound protocols and the role it plays in advanced life support
- Limitations and pitfalls
- clinical utility and application
- case vignettes
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
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
- The role of cardiac ultrasound in advanced life support
- Clinical utility and application
- Case vignettes
Scanning, scanning and more scanning of real people
RUSH
- The underlying principle of the RUSH exam – pump, pipes and tank
- RUSH protocol
- Scan approach
- Clinical utility and application
- Case vignette
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 the region
- patient positioning
- 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 :))
CME details
ACEM | This workshop meets ACEM ultrasound guidelines and policies for AAA, EFAST, ECHO and Procedures (Vascular) – CPD recognition pending
ACRRM | PDP units – 5 Performance Review, 22 Performance Review, 8 Educational Activity | MOPS points 5, 5. Eligible for procedural and training grants.
ASUM | CCPU Accredited Units: AAA, eFAST, Lung, Pleural Effusion, Vascular Access, Basic Echo in Life Support
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
