Breaking New Ground: First-Ever Interdisciplinary POCUS Training with Pediatric eFAST Focus

On Aug. 15, the UCI School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine hosted its inaugural interdisciplinary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training session in collaboration with UCI Health’s trauma and critical care surgery services. This groundbreaking event brought together the emergency department’s ultrasound team and the faculty, fellows and advanced practice practitioners from the trauma teams to enhance their skills in the extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (eFAST) examination.

The training was led by a distinguished panel of experts from the Depart of Emergency Medicine, including Edmund Hsu, MD, Chris Fox, MD, Megan Guy, MD, Madison Nashu, MD, and Ronald Goubert, MD. Each faculty member brought their extensive experience in POCUS to the session, providing invaluable insights and hands-on guidance. Their commitment to fostering a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and education was evident throughout the training.

A unique aspect of this session was its comprehensive focus on both adult and pediatric eFAST ultrasound. While the eFAST exam is a well-established tool in adult trauma care, this session marked the first dedicated pediatric eFAST training. Recognizing the nuances in pediatric trauma care, the faculty emphasized the importance of adapting the eFAST technique to pediatric patients, ensuring that our team is equipped to provide the highest standard of care across all age groups.

Adding to the realism of the training, they had a range of pediatric ultrasound standardized patients, ranging from 11 months to 6 years old. This allowed participants to practice the eFAST exam on a variety of pediatric cases, further enhancing their ability to recognize critical findings in this vulnerable population. The inclusion of these standardized patients was a key component of the training, offering hands-on experience with the unique anatomical and physiological considerations in pediatric trauma care.

Participants engaged in hands-on practice, utilizing real-time ultrasound imaging to identify key findings in trauma patients. The session covered the critical components of the eFAST exam, including the assessment of the pericardium, pleura and peritoneum for signs of free fluid or air, which are indicative of life-threatening injuries. The interdisciplinary nature of the training allowed for dynamic discussions and knowledge sharing, enhancing the overall learning experience.

This inaugural session represents a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing trauma care through POCUS at our Level 1 trauma center. By integrating pediatric eFAST training into our curriculum, we are ensuring that our trauma team is prepared to meet the unique challenges of pediatric patients. This initiative reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in patient care.

As we continue to expand our POCUS training program, we look forward to future interdisciplinary sessions that will further strengthen our hospital’s capabilities. The success of this inaugural event sets a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration between the emergency medicine and trauma services, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our patients.

In conclusion, the inaugural interdisciplinary POCUS training session on Aug. 15 was a resounding success, thanks to the expertise of our faculty and the enthusiastic participation of our faculty, fellows and advanced practice practitioners. This event not only marked the first pediatric eFAST training, but also underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in delivering high-quality trauma care.

Story and photos by Edmund Hsu, MD, UCI School of Medicine assistant professor of emergency medicine.