Program Overview

---

Clinical Ultrasound Fellowship Program Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into six two-month blocks. During each block, weekly ultrasound didactics and journal club focus on the block theme.

Block One: Introduction to Emergency Ultrasound

Obtain a general understanding of the following:

• Ultrasound physics and knobology
• Basic instrumentation of ultrasound machines
• Indications and limitations of cardiac, intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, pelvic, soft tissue, and vascular ultrasound examinations
• Ultrasound for the evaluation of trauma patients
• Image archival and data management

Understand the indications and technique for ultrasound-guided procedures:

• Peripheral and central vascular access
• Pericardiocentesis
• Paracentesis
• Thoracentesis

Perform 25 of each of the following studies:

• Aorta
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Echo
• Focused Assessment with Sonography (FAST)
• Gallbladder
• Renal
• Transabdominal Pelvic
• Transvaginal Pelvic
• Vascular Access

Block Two: Echocardiography

• Understand and become proficient in assessing contractility, chamber size, central venous pressure, and the presence of pericardial effusion
• Understand and practice calculating ejection fraction
• Learn advanced echocardiography such as identifying regional wall motion abnormality, valve dysfunction, advanced evaluation of right heart strain, etc.
• Become trained in limited emergency transesophageal echocardiography

Block Three: Pediatrics

• Become proficient in evaluating pediatric patients with ultrasound for potential hip effusion, appendicitis, pyloric stenosis, and intussusception
• Become proficient in pediatric echocardiography
• Gain experience using ultrasound for fracture diagnosis and reduction

Block Four: Resuscitation

Understand the components and limitations of resuscitation ultrasound and the RUSH exam

Block Five: Musculoskeletal/Vascular

• Gain experience with advanced DVT imaging (including upper extremity) and evaluation of pseudoaneurysms and fistulas
• Identify joint effusions and muscle, tendon, and ligamentous pathology with ultrasound (ortho/radiology)
• Become proficient with ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis, lumbar puncture

Block Six: Regional Anesthesia

• Participate in ED regional anesthesia lab (indications, contraindications and technique) for extremities and torso
• Work with Department of Anesthesia in placing regional blocks preoperatively