Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access

Central venous catheterization and PICC line insertions can be difficult and can cause serious complications. Central venous cannulation (CVC) is an important procedure in the practice of emergency and critical care medicine. A PICC line is, by definition and per its acronym, a peripherally inserted central catheter, and ultrasound is rapidly becoming a tool of choice for identifying the venous anatomy needed for success. With the increasing ability of bedside ultrasound the technology has proven to reduce error and improve patient care. The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, the Institute of Medicine and the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence have all endorsed ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation (UGCVC) as a recommended practice. Given the importance of CVC it is paramount that physicians become proficient with UGCVC.

Assessing and managing superficial fluid collections using ultrasound-guided access is rapidly becoming the standard of care in many medical institutions. Basic ultrasound expertise is invaluable, but there is a whole array of ultrasound procedures that can be performed that will increase your effectiveness and diagnostic accuracy. Go beyond the basics and get the skills you need to expand your effective use of ultrasound in your clinical environment!

Participants in this course will benefit from demonstration, hands-on scanning with phantoms where the ultrasound faculty will teach you the essential skills and techniques to perform exams that make a difference in patient outcomes by demonstrating cardiac problems, deep vein thrombosis, or need for an intervention that can be done under ultrasound guidance.