Award in Point of Care Ultrasound for Gastroenterology
Over 2 semesters, the program covers the Fundamentals of Ultrasound scanning and 3 essential clinical applications encountered in Gastroenterology including:
- Hepatobiliary Ultrasound
- Focused Assessment for Free Fluid (FAFF)
- Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access and Fluid Drainage Procedural
Generic Information
• Limited to 5 candidates per course for effective mentorship
• Blend of online lectures/webinars and in-person practice
• Segmented online lectures aid self-paced learning
• Online portal for resources, mentor interaction, and submissions
• Each candidate is assigned an experienced mentor for year-long guidance
• Facilitation of access to practice machines
• 6-8 in-person intensive practice days per course
• Mandatory practice logbook with scans and pathologies
• Final exam with practical and theoretical elements for course completion.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course the candidate should be able to:
• Appreciate the fundamental physics principles relating to ultrasound including the piezoelectric effect, acoustic impedance mismatch, angle of incidence and other factors that influence imaging as well as the recognition and differentiation of various artefacts
• Recognise the importance of frequency and the way it impacts probe selection and imaging
• Utilise the various functions on US machines to optimise the scan and obtain measurements of relevant structures
• Hold and manipulate the probe effectively being mindful of ergonomics
• Identify the various artefacts. Be familiar with techniques to utillise friendly artefacts and eliminating or reducing unfriendly artefacts.
• Annotate and acquire representative images
• Be mindful of probe and machine cleaning and sterility
• Utilise key scanning concepts including perpendicularity, foreshortening, single component movement
• Issuing a formal report using the correct terminology
• Be aware of the role of Artificial Intelligence in POCUS
• Recognise the sonoanatomy of the hepatobiliary system including the liver, gallbladder, biliary ducts and pancreas. Understand how different approaches and patient positions may optimise the views
• Use a structured approach to interrogate the various hepatobiliary structures including the liver, gallbladder, common duct and pancreas
• Diagnose hepatic pathology including lesions, cysts and cirrhosis
• Recognise dilated intra and extra hepatic bile ducts
• Identify and measure the Common Bile Duct
• Evaluate the gallbladder for pathology including calculi, acute and chronic cholecystitis and polyps
• Evaluate the pancreas for lesions or cysts
• Identify and measure the pancreatic duct
• Recognise the limitations of the scan and know when to refer for further imaging.
• Issue a report
• Appreciate the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the 4 anatomical spaces which will be interrogated for free fluid including the right and left pleural spaces, peritoneum and pericardium.
• Recognise the application of the approach for non traumatic clinical contexts including pleural and pericardial effusions, ascites, perforation and shock
• Understand the sonographic features of different types of free fluid to assist diagnosis
• Appreciate the anatomy and sonoanatomy of the pleura. Understand the rationale for lung sliding and the other pleural artefacts.
• Perform an FAFF scan confidently and competently to identify the presence of free fluid in these spaces
• Understand the indications, sensitivity and limitations of FAFF scanning. Recognise when to refer for further imaging
• Issue a report using the correct terminology
• Recognize the evidence base underpinning the use of US in peripheral venous access and US guided peritoneal aspiration
• Understand the necessity of Infection control measures and sterility
• Differentiate veins, arteries, nerves, muscles and tendons
• Evaluate the venous anatomy of the upper limb venous system in a systematic way
• Assess peripheral vein suitability using the WASPS approach
• Optimising probe/vein alignment for access
• Appreciate the sonographic criteria for US guided aspiration
• Utilise in-plane and out-of-plane approaches for guided vascular access and interventions
• Use ultrasound to confirm successful venous cannulation