Day One: Vascular and eFAST
08:00-09:00 Introduction, Physics, Knobology
Students will have an introduction to the course and the use of bedside ultrasound. Essential principles of physics and working an ultrasound machine are also discussed at this time in a manner that is very concise and simplified.
09:00-10:00 DVT
The concern for DVT is commonly evaluated and using a brief approach at the bedside can help confirm the diagnosis as well as increase the suspicion for other diagnoses such as pulmonary embolism. Using a limited exam based on current evidence, this brief exam can be a high yield of information for the clinician.
10:00-11:00 Basic Vascular Access
By understanding how to recognize the differences of veins and arteries, the learner can also develop techniques to rapidly obtain peripheral venous access in a safer manner both for patient and provider.
11:00-12:00 Advanced Vascular Access
Peripheral venous access is only a portion of how to use ultrasound. Central lines and arterial lines are often vital in resuscitation but improved techniques to both recognize and confirm placement without the need for other imaging is a must during a resuscitation. Some of these include visualizing the needle entering the vein, seeing the guide wire in the vein, visualizing the triple lumen in the right atrium, and performing a bubble test.
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
13:00-14:00 Lungs for Pneumothorax and Hemothorax
By understanding the basics of lung sliding, color Doppler, M-Mode, and other modalities a pneumothorax or a hemothorax can be identified at the bedside without the need for x-ray or advanced imaging such as computed tomography allowing for immediate identification and treatment.
14:00-15:00 Basic Cardiac Evaluation
Cardiac exams can be complex, but the basics are needed to help quickly identify cardiac motion in cardiac arrest and to help differentiate certain rhythms. This portions also includes identifying pericardial fluid and signs of cardiac tamponade.
15:00-16:00 Abdominal Exam for Free Fluid
When performing an exam in trauma, it is essential to recognize free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis. Learn the pearls and pitfalls to identifying free fluid during the abdomen and pelvis exam along with other causes besides bleeding in trauma.
16:00-17:00 Comprehensive Review and Summary
This is a concise review of the exams performed, how to apply in clinical practice, implementing ultrasound in daily practice, and a discussion on how to continue improving on these skills. Additional time is also provided for the learner to further practice exams.
Students will have an introduction to the course and the use of bedside ultrasound. Essential principles of physics and working an ultrasound machine are also discussed at this time in a manner that is very concise and simplified.
09:00-10:00 DVT
The concern for DVT is commonly evaluated and using a brief approach at the bedside can help confirm the diagnosis as well as increase the suspicion for other diagnoses such as pulmonary embolism. Using a limited exam based on current evidence, this brief exam can be a high yield of information for the clinician.
10:00-11:00 Basic Vascular Access
By understanding how to recognize the differences of veins and arteries, the learner can also develop techniques to rapidly obtain peripheral venous access in a safer manner both for patient and provider.
11:00-12:00 Advanced Vascular Access
Peripheral venous access is only a portion of how to use ultrasound. Central lines and arterial lines are often vital in resuscitation but improved techniques to both recognize and confirm placement without the need for other imaging is a must during a resuscitation. Some of these include visualizing the needle entering the vein, seeing the guide wire in the vein, visualizing the triple lumen in the right atrium, and performing a bubble test.
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
13:00-14:00 Lungs for Pneumothorax and Hemothorax
By understanding the basics of lung sliding, color Doppler, M-Mode, and other modalities a pneumothorax or a hemothorax can be identified at the bedside without the need for x-ray or advanced imaging such as computed tomography allowing for immediate identification and treatment.
14:00-15:00 Basic Cardiac Evaluation
Cardiac exams can be complex, but the basics are needed to help quickly identify cardiac motion in cardiac arrest and to help differentiate certain rhythms. This portions also includes identifying pericardial fluid and signs of cardiac tamponade.
15:00-16:00 Abdominal Exam for Free Fluid
When performing an exam in trauma, it is essential to recognize free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis. Learn the pearls and pitfalls to identifying free fluid during the abdomen and pelvis exam along with other causes besides bleeding in trauma.
16:00-17:00 Comprehensive Review and Summary
This is a concise review of the exams performed, how to apply in clinical practice, implementing ultrasound in daily practice, and a discussion on how to continue improving on these skills. Additional time is also provided for the learner to further practice exams.
Day Two: Critical Care
08:00-09:00 Aorta/IVC
The aorta and IVC are an important pair of vessels that can tell a lot about pathology in a matter of seconds. Recognizing aortic abnormalities such as aneurysm or even dissection can be done quickly. The IVC can be assessed for fluid volume by learning how to recognize a flattened or enlarged IVC along with their causes.
09:00-10:00 Fluid Responsiveness
There are various techniques based on current literature to help guide fluid resuscitation. Understanding findings for fluid responsiveness can help better guide resuscitation while avoiding potential complications.
10:00-11:00 Cardiac Examination in the Critically Ill
Understand how to recognize and grossly estimate left and right chamber enlargements, visually estimate global systolic function, and help identify serious pathology such as a thrombus that could indicate a pulmonary embolism.
11:00-12:00 Ocular
Serious ocular pathology such as retinal detachment, retrobulbar hematoma, vitreous hemorrhage, increased ICP via optic nerve measurement, globe rupture, lens detachment, and foreign body can be identified at the bedside using safe and commonly used techniques.
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:00 Early Pregnancy and Bladder
Often, early trans-abdominal pregnancy exams are limited by the bladder. Learn to identify the size and volume of the bladder and then build off of this to recognize signs of early pregnancy that are both normal and abnormal.
14:00-15:00 Airway Placement Confirmation
With advancements in medicine, we do not always need to confirm with x-rays that our endotracheal tube is in the correct position. By identifying the tube in the trachea and confirming lung sliding bilaterally, we can further confirm placement and positioning while avoiding delays in a resuscitation.
15:00-16:00 Lung Ultrasound in Dyspnea
In this portion, providers learn to better identify potential causes of lung pathology by recognizing various elements such as lung sliding, A lines, and B lines via bedside ultrasound.
16:00-17:00 Comprehensive Review and Summary
This is a concise review of the exams performed, how to apply in clinical practice, implementing ultrasound in daily practice, and a discussion on how to continue improving on these skills. Additional time is also provided for the learner to further practice exams.
The aorta and IVC are an important pair of vessels that can tell a lot about pathology in a matter of seconds. Recognizing aortic abnormalities such as aneurysm or even dissection can be done quickly. The IVC can be assessed for fluid volume by learning how to recognize a flattened or enlarged IVC along with their causes.
09:00-10:00 Fluid Responsiveness
There are various techniques based on current literature to help guide fluid resuscitation. Understanding findings for fluid responsiveness can help better guide resuscitation while avoiding potential complications.
10:00-11:00 Cardiac Examination in the Critically Ill
Understand how to recognize and grossly estimate left and right chamber enlargements, visually estimate global systolic function, and help identify serious pathology such as a thrombus that could indicate a pulmonary embolism.
11:00-12:00 Ocular
Serious ocular pathology such as retinal detachment, retrobulbar hematoma, vitreous hemorrhage, increased ICP via optic nerve measurement, globe rupture, lens detachment, and foreign body can be identified at the bedside using safe and commonly used techniques.
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:00 Early Pregnancy and Bladder
Often, early trans-abdominal pregnancy exams are limited by the bladder. Learn to identify the size and volume of the bladder and then build off of this to recognize signs of early pregnancy that are both normal and abnormal.
14:00-15:00 Airway Placement Confirmation
With advancements in medicine, we do not always need to confirm with x-rays that our endotracheal tube is in the correct position. By identifying the tube in the trachea and confirming lung sliding bilaterally, we can further confirm placement and positioning while avoiding delays in a resuscitation.
15:00-16:00 Lung Ultrasound in Dyspnea
In this portion, providers learn to better identify potential causes of lung pathology by recognizing various elements such as lung sliding, A lines, and B lines via bedside ultrasound.
16:00-17:00 Comprehensive Review and Summary
This is a concise review of the exams performed, how to apply in clinical practice, implementing ultrasound in daily practice, and a discussion on how to continue improving on these skills. Additional time is also provided for the learner to further practice exams.
Day Three: Abdominal, Soft Tissue, and MSK
08:00-09:00 Gallbladder
Bedside ultrasound can be beneficial to help identify different biliary pathology such as sludge, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and choledolcholithiasis. Ways to identify these conditions are discussed such as gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and sonographic Murphy's sign.
09:00-10:00 Appendix
Being able to recognize appendicitis at the bedside can save patients from unnecessary radiation. This section discusses how to "rule in" appendicitis based on key findings such as the "target sign" and a non-compressible, blind, tubular structure greater than 6 or 7 mm in diameter.
10:00-11:00 Renal and Retroperitoneal
X-ray and CT is not always needed to investigate renal complaints. Bedside ultrasound can be used to find renal and retroperitoneal abnormalities such as hydronephrosis, cysts, and stones.
11:00-12:00 Soft Tissue
There are key soft tissue findings that can help differentiate pathology such as being able to identify when a patient has cellulitis versus abscess. This helps save patients from unnecessary procedures. In this portion, other uses for soft tissue ultrasound such as the identification of foreign bodies is discussed.
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:00 Musculoskeletal
Muscle tears, tendon injuries, joint effusions, and fractures are some of the examples of pathology that can be identified via ultrasound when it comes to musculoskeletal exams. This section explains how to look for such pathology as well as confirm reductions of fractures and dislocations.
14:00-15:00 Essential Nerve Blocks
This portion helps learners identify nerves, have to use anesthesia in these areas safely, and how to perform some of the most common nerve blocks used such as femoral, ankle, and interscalene blocks while avoiding common pitfalls when performing these procedures.
15:00-16:00 Joint Injections and Aspirations
Arthrocentesis can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. To help improve success while avoiding complications, this portion will allow providers to better perform joint injections and aspirations in a dynamic or static fashion.
16:00-17:00 Comprehensive Review and Summary
This is a concise review of the exams performed, how to apply in clinical practice, implementing ultrasound in daily practice, and a discussion on how to continue improving on these skills. Additional time is also provided for the learner to further practice exams.
Bedside ultrasound can be beneficial to help identify different biliary pathology such as sludge, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and choledolcholithiasis. Ways to identify these conditions are discussed such as gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and sonographic Murphy's sign.
09:00-10:00 Appendix
Being able to recognize appendicitis at the bedside can save patients from unnecessary radiation. This section discusses how to "rule in" appendicitis based on key findings such as the "target sign" and a non-compressible, blind, tubular structure greater than 6 or 7 mm in diameter.
10:00-11:00 Renal and Retroperitoneal
X-ray and CT is not always needed to investigate renal complaints. Bedside ultrasound can be used to find renal and retroperitoneal abnormalities such as hydronephrosis, cysts, and stones.
11:00-12:00 Soft Tissue
There are key soft tissue findings that can help differentiate pathology such as being able to identify when a patient has cellulitis versus abscess. This helps save patients from unnecessary procedures. In this portion, other uses for soft tissue ultrasound such as the identification of foreign bodies is discussed.
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:00 Musculoskeletal
Muscle tears, tendon injuries, joint effusions, and fractures are some of the examples of pathology that can be identified via ultrasound when it comes to musculoskeletal exams. This section explains how to look for such pathology as well as confirm reductions of fractures and dislocations.
14:00-15:00 Essential Nerve Blocks
This portion helps learners identify nerves, have to use anesthesia in these areas safely, and how to perform some of the most common nerve blocks used such as femoral, ankle, and interscalene blocks while avoiding common pitfalls when performing these procedures.
15:00-16:00 Joint Injections and Aspirations
Arthrocentesis can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. To help improve success while avoiding complications, this portion will allow providers to better perform joint injections and aspirations in a dynamic or static fashion.
16:00-17:00 Comprehensive Review and Summary
This is a concise review of the exams performed, how to apply in clinical practice, implementing ultrasound in daily practice, and a discussion on how to continue improving on these skills. Additional time is also provided for the learner to further practice exams.