Comparison of critical care ultrasound accreditation programmes

1. Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Training on ICU:
An Analysis of
Accreditation Programmes
Adrian Wong, UK
Laura Galarza, Spain
Olusegun Olusanya, UK

2. Background
 Point-of-care ultrasound part of critical care practice
 Diagnostic
 Procedural
 Appropriate training and governance systems crucial
 Guidelines from multiple professional organisations vary
 Lack of standardised training pathways/programmes

4. Methodology
 Analysis of Critical Care POCUS accreditation programmes
 Information/Accreditation packs of programmes from:
 USA, Europe, Australia, Canada, Misc
 Thematic analysis
 Modalities
 Training delivery
 Training requirements
 Assessment

5. Results

6. Is Point-of-Care ultrasound incorporated into the
ICM training program in your country?

7. ACCP ESICM Canadian SCCM UK
Theoretical
programme
2 courses + 1 online
module
10 hrs Echo
10 hrs GCCUS
As per ESICM 20 hours
1 day echo
1 day GCCUS
Basic TTE
10 (50 images)
30 fully supervised
scans
30
30
(5 procedural)
50
Lung
4 (12 images) ? 20
20
(5 procedural)
50
Abdomen
4 (16 images) ?
Free fluid – 10
Renal* – 25
Aorta* -25
20
(5 procedural) 20
Vascular access
? ? 10
20
(10 procedural) 5
DVT
3 (24 images) ? 25* As above Not specified yet

8. Conclusion
 POCUS training/accrediation programmes for critical care variable
 Training delivery
 Training requirements
 Assessment
 Modalities
 Lack of evidence-based ‘goal-standard’ for best way to acquire skills
 Vast majority of accreditation programmes do not address issue of
maintaining competencies