Survey of the training and use of echocardiography and lung ultrasound in Australasian intensive care units.

Abstract

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) are now considered essential skills and a requirement of training for physicians working in the intensive care unit (ICU) [1]. TTE is a feasible and safer alternative to transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), even after cardiac surgery [2]. Acquiring competency in TTE during an already over-full curriculum is a challenge. Furthermore, lung ultrasound (LU) is becoming established for bedside diagnosis of acute respiratory pathology [3]. The current level of practice and training in TTE, TOE and LU in ICU is not yet reported. We surveyed the 114 ICUs accredited for ICU training in Australasia to determine the current prevalence of practice and training in TTE, TOE, and LU and to identify perceived obstacles in practice and training. After ethics approval, a web-based survey of 14 Multiple Choice Questions was submitted to the Directors of ICU accredited for training.