Emergency Medicine Ultrasound
The
use of ultrasound in Emergency Medicine has greatly increased over the
last several years as this technology has been embraced by Emergency Physicians
as an efficient way to evaluate patients with a variety of clinical problems.
Under the direction of the Ultrasound Directors, Andrew Anderson, MD and Brian Tollefson, MD this technology is fully integrated into
the day to day practice in the Emergency Department at the University
of Mississippi Medical Center, as well as into the curriculum for the
residents and the research activities of the department.
The Emergency Department has two ultrasound machines for exclusive use
on emergency patients 24 hours a day. The faculty and senior residents
are well versed in the operation of these machines in a variety of clinical
scenarios, including trauma, undifferentiated abdominal pain, and pregnancy
related issues. Ultrasound has become an integral part of the evaluation
of many patients presenting to our Emergency Department.
Emergency Ultrasound is also a significant part of the residency curriculum.
EM-1 residents are exposed to ultrasound from the beginning of their residency
by using the machine with faculty guidance in the evaluation of patients.
There are also didactic sessions on the basics of ultrasound presented
as a part of the regular conference schedule at the beginning of the year.
During the EM-2 year, each resident has a 4-week block devoted to Emergency
Ultrasound. In this rotation, the residents receive several in depth lectures
about all aspects of Emergency Ultrasound. In addition, they have no primary
patient care responsibilities during the block so that they are freed
up for hands on experience using the ultrasound machine to evaluate patients
in the Emergency Department. These hands on sessions are done under the
direct supervision of the Ultrasound Director, providing the residents
with exposure to a variety of techniques and applications.
Starting in July 2002, the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University
of Mississippi has established a Fellowship in Emergency Ultrasound. This
is a one year fellowship allowing the fellow to gain in depth experience
with all aspects of the technology. The fellow is directly involved in
the education of the residents and faculty through lectures and supervision
of hands on use of the machine in the clinical setting and in the research
applications of ultrasound through the development of a unique research
project. The fellow also acts as primary faculty in the Emergency Department.
By the end of the fellowship, the fellow should be able to sit for the
Registry Exam provided by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical
Sonographers (A.R.D.M.S.).
The Department of Emergency Medicine is also very active in the area of
Emergency Ultrasound research. Several projects are currently ongoing
including projects in the areas of musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound
of the skin.
For further information about the Emergency Ultrasound program at the
University of Mississippi Department of Emergency Medicine please contact:
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216-4505