One-Day Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) course

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                                Ankh Medic One-Day Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) course       

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A practical One-Day Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) course template designed for :

•  emergency physicians,

• anaesthetists,

• critical care clinicians

• modeled after recognized standards like WINFOCUS FoCUS and Resuscitation Council UK FEEL. 

 

 

Course Overview

• Target Audience: Emergency medicine, intensive care, anaesthesia trainees, acute care physicians, and pre-hospital clinicians. 

• Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with critical care/resuscitation algorithms (e.g., ALS/ACLS); pre-course e-learning module recommended. 

• Format: Morning theory and knobology followed by afternoon intensive hands-on scanning workshops (live models / high-fidelity simulators).

• Faculty-to-Student Ratio: Maximum 1:4 for practical stations. 

 

 

 

One-Day Timetable & Program

 

Time Session Format Core Focus

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Agenda

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08:30 – 08:45   Welcome & Course

                         Objectives Lecture Scope

                         safety, and integration into shock/arrest protocols

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08:45 – 09:15    Physics & Knobology Lecture & Demo Phased array probes, depth, gain, sector size, and cardinal probe movements

09:15 – 09:45   The 4 Core Views Lecture & Video Parasternal Long Axis (PLAX)

                          Parasternal Short Axis (PSAX)

                          Apical 4-Chamber (A4Ch)

                          Subcostal (SC)

09:45 – 10:15   Evaluating Left & Right Ventricular Function Lecture Eyeballing LV/RV size

                         global systolic function

                         D-sign, and septal flattening

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10:15 – 10:30   Morning Break—Refreshments & networking

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10:30 – 12:30   Hands-On Scanning Workshop 1 (HOT 1)Practical Stations Basic probe manipulation

                         acquiring PLAX

                         PSAX, A4Ch, and SC views on live models

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12:30 – 13:15   Lunch Break——

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13:15 – 13:45   Pathology in Shock & Hypotension Lecture Pericardial effusion / cardiac tamponade

                         RV strain (pulmonary embolism), and severe hypovolaemia (collapsing IVC)

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13:45 – 14:15    FoCUS in Cardiac Arrest (ALS-Compliant)Lecture & Case Scenarios Integrating echo into pulse checks,

                          pseudo-PEA vs. true PEA, and stopping rules

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14:15 – 14:45   Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound Adjuncts Lecture Rapid lung US for pneumothorax (lung sliding, barcode sign) and pulmonary oedema (B-lines)

14:45 – 15:00    Afternoon Break—Refreshments

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15:00 – 17:00    Hands-On Scanning Workshop 2 (HOT 2)Simulated Scenarios Integrated case-based scanning (tamponade, PE, arrest) on live models and ultrasound simulators

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17:00 – 17:30  Interactive Case Review & Q&A Plenary Discussion Real-world clinical quiz, pitfalls,

                        logbook requirements, and next steps for formal accreditation (e.g., FUSIC / BSE / WINFOCUS)

17:30               Feedback & Course Close—Certificate of attendance distribution

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Key Learning Objectives

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By the end of the day, delegates will be able to:

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• Optimize machine settings (depth, focus, gain) using a phased array transducer. [1]

• Acquire the 4 standard acoustic windows reliably and quickly in an acute setting (PLAX, PSAX, A4Ch, Subcostal). [1]

• Identify major life-threatening pathologies:

  • Pericardial effusion and signs of tamponade

  • Severe LV systolic dysfunction

  • Severe RV dilation / strain

  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) collapsibility as a surrogate for volume status 

• Integrate FoCUS seamlessly into Advanced Life Support (ALS) and acute shock management protocols without delaying chest compressions or definitive care. 

 

If you're organizing this course, let me know:

• Who your primary learners are (e.g., ED doctors, ICU nurses, paramedics)

• What equipment or simulators you have access to

• Whether you are aiming for a specific formal accreditation (like FUSIC Heart or FEEL)