Required Scans

SICU rotators will be required to perform a minimum of 150 point-of-care ultrasound examinations.  Each scan done of the rotation is reviewed and graded for adequate image acquisition, proper documentation, and correct interpretation of the images obtained.  Failure in any of these areas counts as a failed scan, which does not count against you, but also does not count towards your total 150.

The fellow must perform a minimum of...

• 30 cardiac studies

• 30 thoracic studies 

• 30 eFAST studies

• 10 DVT studies

• 10 vascular access studies

The remaining 50 studies can be of various applications, including extra of any of the above studies, but also other studies learned and participated in during the rotation.

It is generally recommended to try and complete 10% more scans overall and in each category than is required in anticipation of failing some studies.

While you are expected to complete the minimum number of studies above, meeting these numbers does not mean early completion of the rotation.  A set number of shifts and hours are scheduled for you that you may see a variety of different pathologies and patients, and increase the likelihood of seeing POCUS used in life-saving situations in the emergency department while you are there.

The studies you perform on this rotation will be of two types: training and point-of-care.  Both types count towards your total scans.

A training study means the patient gave you permission to practice an ultrasound exam on them, so they are not charged for the study, it is not part of their medical record, and it is not used in clinical decision-making. Training studies include the exams we perform on each other for practice.

A point-of-care study means the study is felt necessary and clinically-indicated by the patient's treating team, is ordered in the electronic medical record, with the report you generate ending up back in the patient's medical record, and the images you obtained ending up in PACS viewable by other providers in the hospital.