I recently reviewed Drs Weingart and Orman’s outstanding vidcast, EMCrit 254 – Central Line Tips and Tricks with Robby O and Me from EEM 2019. This vidcast is simply incredible. It is so important and so well done! For more information on central lines (really a minicourse on central lines along with EMCrit 254) see Placing A Femoral Line In Shock And Cardiac Arrest. Posted on March 15, 2017 by Tom Wade MD.
For all critically important but uncommon procedures (in most clinicians’ practice), focused practice with physical simulations and focused mental practice is the best way to stay competent.
And Dr. Holladay’s post in Academic Life in Emergency Medicine, DIY Ultrasound Model Compendium in Emergency Medicine. April 24th, 2019 | Ultrasound By: Dallas Holladay, DO, gives us the equipment to perform our needed simulation affordably:
As the use of point-of-care ultrasound expands in emergency medicine, phantoms offer an attractive training solution for new learners and continuing education. Unfortunately, commercially available products are expensive and likely cost-prohibitive for individual practitioners to purchase. Luckily, there are a number of quality, low cost do-it-yourself (DIY) models published in journals and on the Internet. To help you navigate your options, I have created a compendium of DIY ultrasound models relevant to emergency medicine. The models are divided by system or application with a cost estimate for each model, if provided, as well as a list of materials and a short description. Links are provided for further reading.
Background
In general, tissue is simulated by several different products. By far the most cost effective is gelatin with added psyllium. In recent years, ballistic gel has emerged as an alternative that, while more expensive, offers more longevity of the model and is reusable. Other models incorporate tofu to simulate tissue. While each of these substances has some benefits, they all suffer from phantom tracks being left behind after each needle insertion which obscure subsequent views and is the limiting factor for vascular and procedural models. Using meat-based products such as chicken breasts, Spam and other similar products avoids phantom tracks, but limits the duration of use and requires procedures to avoid bacterial contamination of the ultrasound probes. Keep these advantages and limitations in mind when selecting models for simulation.
DIY Ultrasound Models Categorized By System
Resources:
(1) DIY Ultrasound Model Compendium in Emergency Medicine. April 24th, 2019 | Ultrasound By: Dallas Holladay, DO:
(2) An affordable and easily constructed model for training in ultrasound-guided vascular access [PubMed Access] [Full Text HTML] [Full Text PDF].
(3) “Central Line Tips And Tricks” – Critical Information From EMCrit 254
Posted on August 25, 2019 by Tom Wade MD.
(4) Placing A Femoral Line In Shock And Cardiac Arrest
Posted on March 15, 2017 by Tom Wade MD
