Educational Objectives

Point-of-care ultrasound

  1. Understand the basics of ultrasound physics.
  2. Understand the principles of image resolution, depth, gain, artifact, Doppler as they relate to point of care ultrasound.
  3. Understand the appropriate use of common ultrasound probes.
  4. Understand the usage of image archival and Qpath.
  5. Perform procedural and diagnostic ultrasound studies, longitudinally through PGY 1-3 training.
  6. Submit and receive feedback on procedural and diagnostic ultrasound studies on Qpath, longitudinally through PGY 1-3 training.

Sterile gowning and draping

  1. Know appropriate sterile technique for central line placement.
  2. Review and know the LHSC Sterile Checklist for Central Venous and Arterial Access.
  3. Understand that intravascular catheter infections are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. 
  4. Understand that intravascular catheter infections are tracked by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (http://www.hqontario.ca/public-reporting/patient-safety).

Vascular access

  1. Know the indications, contraindications, risks and benefits of internal jugular vein line placement, arterial line placement and peripheral intravenous access.
  2. Know the relevant anatomy to performance of internal jugular vein line placement, arterial line placement and peripheral intravenous access.
  3. Understand the advantages to performing internal jugular vein catheterization, arterial line placement and peripheral IV access under ultrasound guidance.
  4. Know the required equipment for and the necessary preparation for performing ultrasound guided internal jugular vein line placement, arterial line placement and peripheral IV access.
  5. Know the technique to perform ultrasound guided internal jugular vein line placement, arterial line placement and peripheral IV access.
  6. Practice evaluation of IVC for volume assessment on a standardized patient.
  7. Know the Seldinger technique.
  8. Practice ultrasound imaging of relevant anatomy on live models.
  9. Practice performance of ultrasound guided internal jugular vein line placement with appropriate technique on the internal jugular vein line placement trainer.
  10. Practice performance of ultrasound guidance of arterial line placement and peripheral IV access on the appropriate phantoms.