Emergency Medicine (Advanced)
1 day
Peripheral Nerve Block Ultrasound Course
ASUM, ACEM, ACRRM, RACGP
Course highlights
- Understand the anatomy and innervation of key peripheral nerves.
- Learn the requirements and techniques for safe ultrasound-guided nerve block practice.
- Practice identifying target nerves, spaces, or planes on live models.
- Refine needle tip visualisation and motor skills using specialised phantoms.
- Explore the clinical applications of nerve blocks through case-based discussions.
Course Dates
Description
Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia expands pain management options for Emergency Physicians, offering a safe alternative to procedural sedation and reducing opioid reliance in high-risk patients. This intensive one-day peripheral nerve block course focuses on foundational techniques for performing a wide range of nerve blocks, equipping participants with practical skills to enhance patient care in emergency and critical care settings.
Guided by expert faculty, you’ll gain hands-on experience with upper and lower limb blocks, orofacial blocks, and their applications in managing fractures, dislocations, and procedural pain. The day includes case-based discussions to integrate these techniques into real-world clinical scenarios, ensuring you leave confident in your ability to perform ultrasound-guided nerve blocks effectively and safely.
What you’ll learn
- Fundamentals of nerve blocks: Key principles, safety considerations, and optimisation techniques.
- Upper limb blocks: Suprascapular, axillary, elbow, and wrist.
- Lower limb blocks: PENG, fascia iliaca, femoral, saphenous, popliteal sciatic, posterior tibial, and ankle blocks.
- Orofacial blocks: Pain relief strategies for facial injuries and procedures.
- Case-based discussions: Practical application and decision-making for emergency scenarios.
By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped to use ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to manage fractures, dislocations, and procedural pain with confidence, improving patient outcomes while minimising the need for systemic medications.
Who should attend?
- Emergency Physician
- Junior House Officer
- Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Paediatrician
- Palliative Medicine Physician
- Paramedic
- Retrieval Medicine Physician
- Rural Generalist
- Senior House Officer
Objectives
Participants in this peripheral nerve block course will:
- Perform in-plane needle techniques on purpose built phantoms.
- Describe the use, risks and benefits of peripheral blocks.
- Demonstrate ability to identify the anatomy of the common blocks and recognise the pertinent anatomical and pharmacological risks in live models.
- Demonstrate patient and machine optimisation techniques for different tasks.
- Explain the pre-requisites and requirements for safe regional anaesthesia.
- Recognise and discuss alternative methods of analgesia for common tasks and propose the most appropriate.
Prerequisites
The prior ultrasound experience assumed for this course is highlighted below.
| None/Minimal | Don’t use ultrasound |
| Limited | Use ultrasound weekly/monthly |
| Moderate/Experienced | Use ultrasound daily/weekly |
Accreditation
ASUM
ASUM accredited training program. CCPU units included in the course:
- Distal Brachial Plexus Block: Infraclavicular/Axillary
- Upper Limb Peripheral Nerve Blocks
ACEM
Approved for Educational Activities 7.75 hours.
ACRRM
This course is approved for 9 total activity hours. PDP units: 1 Performance Review, 3 Performance Review, 5 Educational Activity. MOPS points: 8. Grant eligibility: Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Surgery.
RACGP
CPD Approved Activity under RACGP 2023-25 CPD program. Approved for Educational Activities 2 hours, Reviewing Performance 6.5 hours, specific requirements diagnostic radiology, 1 day Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Surgery and Emergency Medicine training grants. Provider Number 214288, Activity ID 414911.
HOURS
| Theoretical | 2 |
| Practical | 4.5 |
| Total | 6.5 |
CATERING
Morning tea, a light lunch and refreshments are provided.