Post Graduate Certificate Courses

• 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 Artifical Intelligence in POCUS

• 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 both trauma and non traumatic clinical contexts
• Perform an eFAST/FAFF scan confidently and competently to identify the presence of free fluid in these spaces
• 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.
• Evaluate the pleura to identify a pneumothorax
• Identify the lung point to confirm and size a pneumothorax
• Understand the indications, sensitivity and limitations of eFAST scanning. Recognise when to refer for further imaging
•  Issue a report using the correct terminology

• Appreciate the risk factors, pathophysiology and epidemiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms and aneurysmal rupture
• Understand the anatomy of the abdominal aorta, the principal branches and the peri-aortic structures
• Appreciate the evidence based strengths and limitations of Ultrasound in scanning for AAA and rupture
• Be familiar with the current guidelines for management of AAA
• Confidently identify the abdominal aorta, IVC and vertebral body
• Evaluate the abdominal aorta in both transverse (TS) and longitudinal planes (LS)
• Measure the abdominal aorta correctly in both TS and LS
• Identify the main branches of the abdominal aorta
• Identify the upper abdominal peri-aortic anatomy including the liver, pancreas, portal vein
• Use alternative approaches when scanning the challenging patient
• Integrate ultrasound into the management pathway for AAA including rupture
• Issue a report using the correct terminology

• Recognize the evidence base underpinning the use of US in central and peripheral venous access
• 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 systemin a systematic way using ultrasound
• Assess peripheral vein suitability using the WASPS approach
• Optimising probe/vein alignment for access
• Utilise in-plane and out-of-plane approaches for guided vascular access and interventions
• Use ultrasound to confirm successful cannulation

• Recognise the value of the various cardiac views in evaluating different cardiac structures
• Define the sonoanatomy and recognise the cardiac structures in all cardiac views
• Understand the changes in the cardiac chambers and valves during the cardiac cycle
• Define the normal upper limits for diameters and ratio of the cardiac structures
• Define the normal parameters for LV contractility
• Acquire parasternal long and short axis, as well as subcostal views of the heart
• Utilise a structured approach to optimise the various cardiac views and recognise the impact of specific movements on the cardiac appearance
• Adopt the DEFG structured diagnostic approach to the evaluation of cardiac dimensions and function.
• Diagnose dilated aorta in dissection, dilated LA and dilated cardiomyopathy
• Evaluate the systolic function/contractility to diagnose heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
• Identify pericardial effusions and recognise tamponade physiology
• Evidence base for IVC scanning
• Understand the impact of respiratory physiology on the IVC
• Identify and correctly measure the IVC
• Define the maximal diameter and collapsibility index of the IVC in normovolemia and hypovolemia in both ventilated and unventilated patients
• Recognise the limitations of IVC scanning and the impact of raised pulmonary pressures on its use
• Issue a report using the correct terminology

• Define the lower limb venous anatomy
• Differentiate veins from arteries
• Recognise thrombus within the deep veins of the lower limb
• Appreciate the sonographic features of acute, subacute and chronic thrombus
• Understand how to integrate US scanning in the clinical algorithm for DVT
• Appreciate the limitations of US scanning for DVT and when to refer to radiology
• Perform an ultrasound scan of the lower limb to identify deep venous thrombosis in the proximal deep veins
• Interrogate the distal lower limb veins
• Recognise alternative pathologies presenting with LL pain including superficial thrombophlebitis, Baker’s cyst and muscular hematomas
• Issue a report using the correct terminology

• Understand the classification and pathophysiology of shock
• Recognise the evidence base for shock scan protocols
• Formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis in shock
• Be familiar with the different shock protocols available
• Perform a shock scan protocol for cases of undifferentiated shock utilising different US applications
• Integrate the US findings into the clinical context to formulate a provisional diagnosis
• Issue a formal report using the correct terminology