POCUS Learning Modules

MODULE 11:  US for Hospital Procedures

Curriculum Location: FMC Procedure Clinic / Total Time: 1 hour

For this and all other modules, you are welcome and encouraged to take notes as helpful to you in your Ultrasound/POCUS for Family Medicine Evernote Notebook, found here. 

Learning Module Objectives:

  1. Describe how to perform paracentesis using static ultrasound guidance

  2. Describe how to perform thoracentesis using static ultrasound guidance

  3. Demonstrate how to perform IJ central line placement using dynamic ultrasound guidance

Hospital Procedural US (Time: 40 minutes)

  1. Background: Static or dynamic ultrasound guidance has been shown to reduce complications in common hospital procedures. Because of the availability of ultrasound, central lines can be safely placed via the Internal Jugular Vein (IJ), which lessens the risk of infection (Femoral Vein) and pneumothorax (Subclavian Vein).

  2. Assignments:

    1. Watch the following videos (also linked on the ICU rotation webpage which you can go to for accompanying video handouts and additional videos/resources):

      1. Overview of ultrasound guidance for hospital procedures (5m) (USC)

      2. Paracentesis (10m) (NEJM)

      3. Thoracentesis (10m) (NEJM)

      4. Ultrasound-guided IJ central line placement (18m) (NEJM)

  3. Optional:

    1. Subclavian central line placement using ultrasound guidance (MGH) (Note: There is less evidence that the outcome of subclavian central line placement is improved by using ultrasound guidance. This video is included in case helpful.)

    2. Our curriculum does not include protected time for residents to observe or participate in an ultrasound guided paracentesis or thoracentesis, aside from the inpatient rotation setting. All residents are encouraged to at least observe the procedure at TCH Ultrasound, ideally on your own patients during inpatient months. For IJ central line placement, all residents should observe, and preferably perform, at least one ultrasound-guided IJ central line placement during their ICU rotation.

Module QUIZ (Time: 10 minutes)

  • Congratulations on completing the module. Please click HERE to take your Module Quiz and provide Module feedback.