THE USE OF ULTRASOUND FOR EVALUATION OF THE EMERGENCY AND CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT

Written by: Lori Green, BA, RT, RDMS, RDCS, RVT

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The use of ultrasound to evaluate a variety of medical conditions ranging from relatively minor to critically ill is well established. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is an accurate, non-invasive, cost-effective imaging modality that can be performed at the bedside to expedite the time to diagnosis and treatment resulting with improved patient care, safety, and over-all outcomes.

The Covid-19 pandemic has further defined the importance of using POCUS to augment the physical exam to accurately assess the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in a timely manner.

Lung Ultrasound
Lung ultrasound is highly sensitive and specific providing a viable alternative to chest radiography or CT scanning. The stages of pneumonia can be evaluated by determining the presence of B-lines, and/or more solid appearing consolidated lung (hepatization).

Cardiovascular Ultrasound
Covid-19 was initially thought to be a virus that primarily affects the respiratory system, however research and experience have shown the virus also infects the blood vessels resulting in a high prevalence of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Studies have revealed that over 40% of deaths in Covid-19 patients are related to cardiovascular complications (1).

The use of bedside ultrasound to perform a focused cardiac exam can provide valuable information relating to cardiac function, presence of pericardial effusion/tamponade, pleural effusion, and volume status.

POCUS can also serve as a valuable tool to perform a multi-system approach to the evaluation of the critically ill patient in a time and cost-effective manner to expedite time to treatment. By performing a RUSH exam, the medical provider can evaluate the heart, IVC, Abdominal aorta, and venous system to determine source of shock and hypotension, and potential complications associated with the Covid-19 patient.

ACEP and WINFOCUS have published ultrasound practice guidelines that provide recommendations for learning how to perform the core and advanced level ultrasound applications.

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute, Inc. (GCUS.com), the leading provider of quality ultrasound CME since 1985, offers a wide variety of POCUS training programs (based on published guidelines) for all levels of experience and in a variety of educational formats. All programs are taught by leading ultrasound experts, so you will be learning from the medical professionals who wrote the books.

Attend a GCUS CME activity to enhance your ultrasound skills and competence to effectively integrate these valuable applications into clinical practice.

UPCOMING POCUS COURSES / RESOURCES:
Live Emergency and Critical Care Courses: (Introductory & Advanced Levels)
September 14-18, 2020
February 15-19, 2021

Blended POCUS Courses (combine comprehensive online course(s) with scheduled hands-on workshop
November 19-20, 2020
June 7-8, 2021

Upcoming Blended Courses:

• Introduction to Emergency Ultrasound
• Introduction to Critical Care Ultrasound
• Use of Ultrasound for Covid-19
• Ultrasound in Trauma
• Advanced Emergency and Critical Care Ultrasound
• Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access
• Ultrasound-Guided Emergency Medicine Nerve Blocks

Private one-on-One and/or Onsite Education GCUS also offers a wide variety of comprehensive, interactive online courses for Emergency and Critical Care ultrasound applications. Introductory and Advanced Levels, plus topic specific programs are offered.

New! Use of Ultrasound for Covid-19
General Ultrasound for Austere /Rural Applications
Pre-Hospital Ultrasound
Trauma Ultrasound for Austere/ Rural Medicine

Combine a private one-on-one scan workshop or coordinate an onsite hands-on workshop for your entire group to provide consistency in training in a timely manner.

GCUS has implemented enhanced safety precautions for Covid-19 and as always, our participant to instructor ratio never exceeds 3:1 to allow a small group learning environment.

   All Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Courses and Products.