The “Golden Hour” is one of the pillars of emergency medicine. Capitalize on the speed and accuracy of ultrasound to take advantage of every minute. Having the skills to evaluate the abdomen (the FAST procedure) in adult and pediatric patients, cardiac in adult and pediatric patients, and first trimester pregnancy ultrasound may make the difference between life and death! Participants in this course will benefit from “hands-on scan labs” where you will practice the essential skills and techniques to acquire an ultrasound image for quick and accurate diagnosis in all age ranges.
AHEC has taught this course for physicians in the US, China, and South America. This two day course begins both days with lecture where faculty will review the basics such as: ultrasound physics and instrumentation, anatomy, and procedures and protocols. Following lecture, participants will benefit from our on-site scanning lab with live models for extensive hands-on practice. The course content is based on ACEP guidelines for the performance of Emergency Medicine Ultrasound.
Objectives
At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
Identify the appropriate equipment settings and transducer selection for different ultrasound applications
Identify and display appropriate normal and abnormal anatomy and orientation in the ultrasound field of view
Understand variations in adult and pediatric scanning techniques
Understand variations in scanning protocols for demonstration of pathologies in emergency medicine examinations.
Successfully perform a focused abdomen exam
Successfully perform a trauma FAST exam
Successfully perform the protocol for a bedside cardiac evaluation of pericardial effusion
Successfully perform a venous system exam
Discuss and apply scanning techniques for the performance of the female patient and first trimester OB with transabdominal and endovaginal approaches
Course Topics
Introduction to ultrasound physics and instrumentation
Anatomy of the abdominal and retroperitoneal structures
Anatomy differences in adult and pediatric patients
Abdominal scan protocols, image orientation, and pathology
Aorta
Kidney and Bladder
Right Upper Quadrant
Focused Assessment by Sonography in Trauma (FAST) procedure protocol
Cardiac 2D imaging
Evaluation of pericardial and pleural effusion
Venous system evaluation
OB/GYN ultrasound anatomy and procedures
First trimester pregnancy with endovaginal imaging
Early gestation and ectopic pregnancy
Soft tissue and Musculoskeletal imaging procedures
Ocular traumatic and non-traumatic evaluation
Ultrasound appearance of pathology in case studies
Introduction to Ultrasound-Guided procedures
Focused hands-on scan labs
Target Audience
Emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons, critical care physicians, intensivists, internal medicine and family practice physicians who will be performing and interpreting emergency ultrasound examinations on adults or pediatric patients.