Logging tools

Tracking scans is a key part of any physician in practice's POCUS learning. Here are several scan logging platforms to consider.

An app

Echo-log

App for iOS and on google play for tracking scans

  • $

  • exportable for review

  • supervisor review signature function

  • based on Canadian core scan metrics; use creatively to track pediatric specific indications

ACEP Ultrasound Tracker

Tracking website available to ACEP members

  • ACEP members only

  • training or practice based options

  • can generate completion letter after 150 scans in at least 3 indications

  • not pediatric centered

Middleware queries

Institutions with middleware systems (like QPath) can track scans through the software

  • $$$$

  • less work for learner;

  • more work for POCUS director/champion

Old-school spreadsheet

  • easily accessible software (google sheet, excel, open office)

  • easily customizable


  • free, open-source (need gmail account)

  • customizable

  • on-the go logging

  • generates summary reports


Counting Positives

How do you ensure good PEM POCUS education when positive findings can be rare? There are multiple approaches to this conundrum.

Numbers: Strict, must log positives

Pros:

  • real experience seeing live positive scans

Cons:

  • challenging to find positives

  • time and resource consuming

Suggestions:

  • don't limit to peds ED population

    • adults

    • inpatients with known pathology

Numbers: Supplement with Sim (online or phantoms)

Pros:

  • possibility for asynchronous learning

Cons:

  • Cost of sim materials or subscriptions

Suggestions:

  • create sim curriculum

Numbers: No positives is OK

Pros:

  • encourage scanning without pressure to find positives

Cons:

  • missing experience of live scanning positives

Suggestions:

  • focus teaching on excellent scanning technique and identifying key landmarks

  • image review of positives

Competency based

Pros:

  • more holistic evaluation

  • encourages instructors to spend quality scanning time to establish good skills

Cons:

  • potentially time/work intensive to do the assessments

Suggestions:

  • focus on teaching excellent scanning technique and identifying key landmarks

  • image review of positives