Focused Hospital Medicine CME on Pulmonary Point-of-Care Ultrasound Through Just-in-Time Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Maine Medical Center (01/01/21) Vol. 3, No. 1 Buttarazzi, Matthew; Bartlett, Kristin; Stebbins, Katherine; et al.

Researchers evaluated a pilot program of focused continuing medical education (CME) with just-in-time training in pulmonary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for hospitalists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in March 2020, the researchers provided ultrasound education and image review within hospital medicine at the Maine Medical Center in Portland. The program included a small-group lecture focused on ultrasound findings in pneumonia, weekly imaging reviews and a monthly review conference of ultrasound imaging. POCUS usage for pulmonary pathology increased at the facility at the start of the pandemic. Within one month of undergoing ultrasound education, the percentage of providers eligible for privileging increased from 4% to 20%. Device usage continued for three months after the last training session was conducted. The authors concluded that just-in-time training "accelerated ultrasound use for our hospitalist group and will serve as the foundation for future multidisciplinary work within our department, hospital and healthcare system."

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