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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
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