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
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