This comprehensive program consists of hands-on, individual courses needed to attain a certificate of completion for critical care ultrasound.

Point-of-care sonography is a growing need for critically ill patients. Critical care ultrasound is an ideal choice for trauma patients and intensive care settings, where every second counts. It's portable, non-invasive, and provides quick and accurate readings. This can mean the difference between life and death.

The Advanced Health Education Center (AHEC) recognizes the need for training in this field. That's why they've developed a series of classes with hands-on scan labs to teach healthcare workers how to conduct this process, as well as opportunities to practice the essential skills and techniques required to obtain an ultrasound image for a quick and accurate diagnosis.

Why Critical Care Ultrasound is Important

Point-of-care ultrasound significantly impacts the speed and accuracy of patient diagnostics.

When it comes to medical monitoring tools, critical care ultrasound has revolutionized the bedside assessment of critical care patients. These machines enable clinicians to assess a range of maladies. They can evaluate the abdomen, first-trimester pregnancy, and cardiac concerns. Critical care sonograms can also detect blood clots, reducing occurrences of pulmonary emboli.

In critical care, time is of the essence. Point-of-care ultrasound provides the convenience and speed needed to help clinicians make efficient diagnoses and provide life-saving care. Critical care ultrasound training is essential to ensure all intensive care patients are receiving the best treatment possible.

Who Should Take This Course

The AHEC's critical care ultrasound course is designed for the following medical providers:

Emergency medicine physicians

Trauma surgeons

Critical care physicians

Intensivists

Internal medicine and family practice physicians: especially those performing/interpreting emergency ultrasound exams

Because of the hands-on nature of this course, classes take place at the AHEC in Houston. Medical professionals interested in taking a critical care ultrasound online course should explore the live webinars available on the AHEC website.

What Course Attendees Can Expect

This course takes place over two days and is eight hours each day, earning attendees 16 hours of credit. Both days begin with lectures where faculty will address how ultrasound and instrumentation works; anatomy; and protocols and procedures.

Afterward, participants will participate in an on-site lab experience with actual models for real-world practice. Anyone who would like additional hands-on practice may schedule one more day of scanning with an expert.

Course Objectives

The critical care ultrasound course covers a wide range of topics, from an introduction to ultrasound physics and instrumentation to the anatomy of abdominal structures. At the end of this course, attendees will know how to:

Identify appropriate settings on equipment for various ultrasound uses.

Recognize normal and abnormal body structure in ultrasound readings.

Understand variations in scanning techniques.

Understand different scanning procedures in emergency medical exams.

Successfully perform an abdominal exam, trauma FAST exam, protocol for conducting cardiac evaluation at patients' bedside, and circulatory system exam.

Deliberate and utilize scanning techniques for OB patients in their first trimester.

AHEC's critical care ultrasound course content is based on ACEP guidelines for the performance of Emergency Ultrasound. It has been taken by physicians in the US, China, and South America.

Learn More About This Course

Visit the AHEC website for a complete list of critical care ultrasound courses. To register or request more information, call AHEC at (800) 239-1361, or complete their contact form to receive a call from an administrator.

Begin your journey toward critical care ultrasound training today.