Mount Sinai Emergency Medicine Ultrasound

The ACEP Ultrasound Section hosted its annual Ultrasound Management Course on Friday October 14. This year’s course was organized by directors Vivek Tayal and Troy Foster and co-directors Rajesh Geria and Bret Nelson. Special thanks to ACEP organizers Marilyn Bromley and Julie Williams who were instrumental in putting the course together.

Over 125 participants registered for this full-day course which served as a whirlwind introduction to the operational aspects of emergency ultrasound. Participants interacted with each other as well as national ultrasound leader in small group breakout sessions covering topics such as quality assurance, image management systems, reimbursement issues, and others.

Faculty for the course (listed below) hailed from across the United States and brought enormous expertise to bear in their lectures and small group sessions.  We look forward to their continued involvement as the course expands. Planning has already begun for the next Ultrasound Management Course to be held at ACEP in Denver 2012!

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The ACEP Ultrasound Section hosted its annual Ultrasound Management Course on Monday September 27. This year’s course was organized by director Troy Foster and co-directors Rajesh Geria and Bret Nelson. Special thanks goes out to Vivek Tayal for his mentoring, support and guidance! In addition, Marilyn Bromley and Julie Williams were instrumental in putting the course together.

Over 125 participants registered for this full-day course which served as a whirlwind introduction to the operational aspects of emergency ultrasound. New this year were two breakout sessions, where participants engaged in round-table discussions with national leaders. This is also the first year that we were able to provide AMA PRA category 1 CME to all those registered.

Faculty for the course (listed below) hailed from across the United States and brought enormous expertise to bear in their lectures and small group sessions.  We look forward to their continued involvement as the course expands. Planning has already begun for the next Ultrasound Management Course to be held at ACEP in San Fransisco 2011!

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On September 28 Dr. Suzanne Bentley presented the abstract:

Ultrasound evaluation for appendicitis in children: Can we safely reduce CT scan utilization?

Bentley S, Nelson BP, Zahn L

at ACEP in Las Vegas. Data on using ultrasound as a first-line diagnostic modality (instead of CT scan) were discussed, with implications for diagnostic accuracy, radiation exposure, and length of stay. This was abstract #001, which carries no more prestige than #998 but we will be proud anyway.

A great deal of attention has recently focused on radiation exposure risks, and many organizations have allied to reduce necessary imaging. The Image Gently Alliance for example boasts dozens of member organizations and has done a great deal to educate providers about the risks of ionizing radiation in imaging. A brief article on the study was published by Reuters Health:

For pediatric appendicitis, ultrasound cuts radiation, saves time over CAT scans (subscription only)

Emergency Medicine has advocated the use of ultrasound for quite some time. As point-of-care ultrasound as well as radiology department ultrasound gain ground we hope to make informed diagnostic decisions while minimizing risks.

In 2006, Senator William Frist introduced legislation to recognize October 15 as Emergency Ultrasound Day. While well-known traditions exist for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Talk Like a Pirate Day, there is no consensus on how best to celebrate Emergency Ultrasound Day.

How do you celebrate Emergency Ultrasound Day? Post to comments.
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What a great time to be in Boston! The 2009 ACEP Scientific Assembly is over, and there were lots of updates for the ultrasound community. New coding guidelines from the section, Ultrasound Section election results, Sinai alumni news, and more after the jump!

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