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POCUS for the Critical Care Provider
Stephen Ramsey
PT, DPT, CCS
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is transforming bedside assessment by allowing critical care providers to evaluate cardiac function, volume status, pulmonary physiology, vascular safety, and muscle integrity in real time. This two-day immersive course focuses on the practical application of ultrasound to assess physiologic readiness, identify causes of clinical instability, and guide safe, informed clinical decision-making.
Participants will develop hands-on skills in lung and diaphragm ultrasound, cardiac assessment, inferior vena cava evaluation, vascular screening for DVT and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and muscle ultrasound for detecting and monitoring critical illness–associated weakness. Dedicated instruction on mechanical circulatory support (LVAD and Impella) will highlight ultrasound’s role in assessing preload, ventricular interaction, and physiologic tolerance.
Emphasis is placed on integrating ultrasound findings into clinical workflow—linking image acquisition to physiologic interpretation and real-world decision-making. Through hands-on labs and case-based integration, participants will learn to use ultrasound as a tool to enhance patient safety, improve clinical reasoning, and monitor physiologic response over time.
Participants will develop hands-on skills in lung and diaphragm ultrasound, cardiac assessment, inferior vena cava evaluation, vascular screening for DVT and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and muscle ultrasound for detecting and monitoring critical illness–associated weakness. Dedicated instruction on mechanical circulatory support (LVAD and Impella) will highlight ultrasound’s role in assessing preload, ventricular interaction, and physiologic tolerance.
Emphasis is placed on integrating ultrasound findings into clinical workflow—linking image acquisition to physiologic interpretation and real-world decision-making. Through hands-on labs and case-based integration, participants will learn to use ultrasound as a tool to enhance patient safety, improve clinical reasoning, and monitor physiologic response over time.
Course Overview: POCUS for the Critical Care Provider
Module 1: Role of Ultrasound, Terminology, and Workflow IntegrationSection II: Shoulder
- Role of ultrasound in physiologic assessment
- Key terminology and interpretation principles
- Clinical decision-making framework
- Integration into bedside workflow
Module 2: Diaphragm and Lung Ultrasound
Module 3: Inferior Vena Cava and Volume StatusPractical approach
- IVC anatomy and imaging
- Collapsibility and distensibility
- Volume status interpretation
Module 4: Cardiac Ultrasound Fundamentals
Parasternal short axis
Parasternal Long Axis
Apical four chamber
Subcostal view
Parasternal Long Axis
Apical four chamber
Subcostal view
- LV and RV function assessment
- EPSS, FS, TAPSE, TV Free Wall s’
- RV:LV ratio (Apical 4 chamber)
- Septal position and pericardial effusion
- D-sign (PSAX)
- Tamponade
Module 5A: Mechanical Circulatory Support Assessment (LVAD and Impella)For your career
LVAD/Impella Assessment
Clinical application:
- LV size and preload assessment
- RV function and interventricular dependence
- Septal position and suction risk
- Volume status integration
- LV unloading assessment
- RV limitation identification
- Septal position interpretation
Clinical application:
- Physiologic implication
- Identifying mobilization risk
- Interpreting physiologic limitations
Module 5B: Cardiopulmonary and MCS Clinical Integration Lab
- Obtaining cardiac views in supine then sitting
- Case-based interpretation
- Integration of lung, diaphragm, cardiac, IVC, and MCS findings
Module 6: DVT/AAA/Peripheral Arterial Flow (FMD)
DVT
Aorta
Peripheral Arterial
- Venous anatomy
- Compression ultrasound technique
Aorta
- Aorta Anatomy
- AAA
Peripheral Arterial
- Velocity
- Diameter
- FMD
Module 7: Clinical integration through Cases and Open LabUnique Learning Paths
- Cardiac, IVC, Lung/Diaphragm, DVT, AAA integration and clinical reasoning
Module 8: Muscle Ultrasound FundamentalsVideo Conferencing
- Muscle thickness
- Cross-sectional area
- Echo intensity
- Muscle architecture
- Clinical implications in critical illness
Module 9: Muscle Ultrasound Clinical Integration Lab
- Interpretation of muscle changes
- Longitudinal monitoring
- Clinical application cases
Module 10: Implementation and Competency DevelopmentGlobally oriented
- Clinical implementation strategies
- Documentation/Billing
- Workflow integration
- Competency development
Why this course...
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is rapidly becoming an essential tool in critical care physical therapy, allowing clinicians to perform immediate bedside assessment of cardiopulmonary function, vascular status, and overall physiologic readiness for mobility. For clinicians working in the ICU, ultrasound provides a unique ability to integrate evaluation of cardiac performance, pulmonary pathology, vascular conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), fluid and volume status, and aortic screening within a single modality.
POCUS also supports identification of mechanical circulatory support device positioning and function, while enhancing real-time clinical decision-making.
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