Bedside ultrasound is a clinical skill that every emergency physician should master. The use of bedside ultrasound allows for rapid diagnosis and prompt care. Emergency physicians should be skilled in recognition in the following acute life-threatening emergencies for which delay in definitive care is unjustified: abdominal aortic aneurysm, traumatic hemoperitoneum, ectopic pregnancy, and pericardial tamponade. Emergency physicians should also be proficient in utilizing ultrasound in the diagnosis of gallbladder disease and obstructive uropathy.
During the first year each Emergency Medicine Resident is assigned a one-month ultrasound rotation (combined with the anesthesia rotation), which includes bedside imaging and didactic education. This rotation is supervised by the Director of Ultrasound, Ben Smith, MD.
Both indicated and non-indicated exams will be performed. Residents will image a variety of pathologic conditions and gain experiences with normal sonographic anatomy and variations.
We also sponsor an Ultrasound Fellowship (non-ACGME accredited). It is a one-year program with one fellow. The Program Director is Ben Smith, MD. For more information, contact Velvet Green, Ultrasound Fellowship Coordinator: velvet.green@erlanger.org or 423-778-7628.