ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography has important applications for the management of the critically ill patient. There is a need to develop effective training programs for the critical care community in acquiring skill at critical care transesophageal echocardiography. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effectiveness of a 1-day simulation-based course that focused on the acquisition of skill in the performance of critical care transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: Learners received training in image acquisition with a transesophageal simulator and training in image interpretation in small group sessions. Skill at image acquisition and image interpretation was assessed at the beginning and at the completion of the course. RESULTS: There were 27 learners who attended the course. Pre and post knowledge scores were 55 (19; mean [SD]) and 88 (9; P < .0005), respectively. Pre and post image acquisition scores were 3.6 (3.7) and 9.9 (0.3; P < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day course in critical care transesophageal echocardiography that combined case-based image interpretation with image acquisition training using a simulator improved technical skills and knowledge base.
Subject(s)
Echocardiography, Transesophageal , Internship and Residency , Clinical Competence , Computer Simulation , Critical Care , HumansABSTRACT
The performance of a lumbar puncture is generally associated with a high rate of success and a favorable risk profile. Nonetheless, the use of ultrasound for procedural guidance has been demonstrated to reduce the rate of failure and the risk of specific complications, especially in patients with difficult surface anatomy. Many individual ultrasound techniques have been described in the literature; this article presents a systematic approach for incorporating these tools into bedside practice and includes a series of illustrative figures and narrated video presentations to demonstrate the techniques described.
