Nephrology
2 days
Nephrology Ultrasound Course (Basic)
Course highlights
- Renal Tract ultrasound including kidneys, bladder, and prostate.
- Basic lung and cardiac ultrasound assessment.
- Ultrasound guidance in vascular access and procedures on phantoms.
Description
Ultrasound for Nephrology has moved beyond ultrasound assessment of the renal tract. Extending Nephrologists during their hospital traineeship and beyond, this 2-day basic course teaches safe and effective renal and vascular ultrasound examinations that also integrate cardiac, lung and IVC into daily practice.
Ultrasound guidance in needle placement for cannulation, as well as interventional procedures such as renal biopsy are also incorporated.
We combine lectures and short demonstrations with lengthy hands-on practical scanning of real patient models. Students will engage in learning from acquisition and interpretation, through to integrating skills and knowledge into clinical situations and management.
Who should attend?
- Nephrologist
- Nephrology Trainee
- Internal Medicine Physician
- Intensive Care Physician
- ICU Registrar
- Nurse Practitioner
- Palliative Medicine Physician
- General Physician
- Junior House Officer
Objectives
The objectives of this basic Nephrology Ultrasound course are:
Renal Tract Ultrasound
- Recognise normal and abnormal appearances of the renal tract including kidneys, bladder, ureter and prostate.
- Identify common abnormalities, variants, and pathologies of the urinary tract.
- Perform scanning of the urinary tract including kidneys, bladder, prostate, aorta, IVC and other abdominal organs.
- Perform renal measurements and calculations including bladder pre and post void.
- Identify and perform Doppler assessment of kidneys and bladder.
Lung Ultrasound
- Identify normal and abnormal lung patterns.
- Recognise common abnormalities such as pneumothorax, consolidation, B lines, and atelectasis pleural effusion.
Cardiac Ultrasound
- Acquire the 4 views of the heart — parasternal long axis (PLAX), parasternal short axis (PSAX), apical 4 chamber (AP4CH), and subxiphoid (SUBX) and the IVC.
- Identify normal appearances and size of the chambers, valves, cycle, heart, IVC, aorta and surroundings.
- Determine cardiac function by assessment of cardiac and chamber size, contractility, and dynamics.
Procedural and Ultrasound Needle Guidance
- Identify safe needle guidance techniques.
- Perform safe hygiene techniques in ultrasound needle guidance.
- Perform techniques of ultrasound needle guidance for vascular access and cannulation, and interventional such as renal biopsy.
- Perform renal biopsy techniques on renal phantoms.
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 |
HOURS
| Theoretical | 5 |
| Practical | 8.5 |
| Total | 13.5 |
CATERING
Morning tea, a light lunch and refreshments are provided.