Policy on Ultrasound

'The Australasian Trauma Society supports and encourages the application of Focussed Abdominal Sonography as a diagnostic modality to be utilised in the initial assessment of the Trauma Patient.'
The Working Party is now in the process of developing credentialling guidelines for those who wish to train in Trauma Ultrasound:

Australasian Trauma Society Position on Credentialing for Trauma Ultrasound for Trauma Specialists.

The Australasian Trauma Society considers that bedside ultrasound should be immediately available for the assessment of injured patients in hospitals receiving victims of trauma. Trauma Ultrasound should be performed by suitably qualified Trauma Specialists or qualified medical Ultrasonographers. The Australasian Trauma Society supports the credentialling of Trauma Specialists to perform Focussed Trauma Ultrasound and recommends the following credentialling standards:

1. Formal Training in the limited module of Focussed Trauma Ultrasound.

Training should consist of a Minimum of 16 hours of formal course instruction. The course should be divided between lectures, skills instruction and practice. The course should consist of introductory physics as applied to ultrasound, basic ultrasound instrumentation and use of the equiment, scanning techniques in Trauma Ultrasound and Trauma Ultrasound case reviews. Ultrasound Skills instruction and practice should be dynamic bedside instruction and include patients with normal and abnormal anatomy including free intraperitoneal fluid. The course should include formal assessment both at skills stations and by other means including multiple choice questions.

2. A minimum of 25 proctored Trauma Ultrasounds must be performed for Trauma Ultrasound credentialling.

The 25 Trauma Ultrasounds should be logged and compared with other clinical/radiological data to confirm the accuracy of the ultrasound investigation. These examinations must be proctored by another appropriately credentialled Trauma Ultrasonographer.

3. At least 50% of the Trauma Ultrasounds must be clinically indicated

In addition, at least 5 should be positive for intraperitoneal, pleural or pericardial fluid. Clinical indications for performing focussed scans in trauma include suspected haemoperitoneum, haemothorax, haemopericardium and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

4. Continuing Medical Education

CME for ongoing credentialling would require at least 4 hours of certified ultrasound training every 2 years and a further 25 logged trauma examinations per year.