Point Of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Program

Point of care ultrasound is a diagnostic modality using surface ultrasound to acquire focused, rapid, goal-directed images at the point bedside. Point Of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has been in use by Emergency Physicians, Trauma and Critical Care Medicine, and more recently Anesthesia personnel has been utilizing this modality.

The American Board of Anesthesiology’s Applied Exam and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) content outline states that POCUS content will appear on the exams starting in 2022. Our POCUS training will ensure that all points are covered during resident training.

Heart Views – Parasternal long and short axis view, Apical four-chamber, Sub-costal four-chamber and IVC views.
Lung Views – Pleura, Diaphragm, Artifacts - A-lines, B-lines.
Abdominal Views – Left and Right Upper Quadrants, Pelvis and Gastric content and volume.
Vascular Access - to obtain arterial and venous access

POCUS Training

Here at Upstate Medical University Anesthesiology Department, POCUS training focuses on four competencies;

Indication
Image Acquisition
Interpretation
Medical decision making

We have a group of anesthesia faculty proficient in POCUS who spearheaded the clinical use and training within the department for residents as well as faculty who are interested in performing POCUS. Training is achieved by regular didactic lectures and live model hands-on workshops and performing POCUS on real patients when indicated.

Additionally, residents and faculty are encouraged and guided to attend meetings and online courses and eventually get POCUS certification.